US-Papua New Guinea Military Deal: Benefits and Controversies

The US has been strengthening its security and cooperation agreements in the Indo-Pacific region, including renewing ties with the Philippines, enhancing cooperation with Australia, and negotiating defense and cooperation agreements with Papua New Guinea. However, many countries in the region prioritize non-alignment and cooperation with China, and the US must offer alternatives to China's aggressive foreign policy to incentivize cooperation. The US-China relationship is at its lowest point in decades, and offering investment, attention, and diplomacy may be the only tool available to the US.