ABSTRACT
This chapter continues the focus on specific tools of statecraft, by analysing defence diplomacy. While diplomacy has traditionally been understood as the role of civilian diplomats, defence diplomacy has long played an important role in the Pacific Islands region. Defence diplomacy involves the peaceful use of defence resources to pursue foreign and strategic policy objectives. Therefore, defence diplomacy does not include offensive military operations, but it can involve ones for peaceful purposes, such as humanitarian and disaster relief. However, defence diplomacy is often not well-understood, partly because diplomacy is commonly seen only as the domain of civilian diplomats, and partly because there is scepticism about its value. This chapter assesses the nature and effectiveness of defence diplomacy in the Pacific Islands region, with a focus on Australia and the United States, which have long been active partner states. It analyses the following different elements of defence diplomacy: defence cooperation and assistance, maritime surveillance and support, people-to-people links, humanitarian and disaster relief, and minilateral and bilateral arrangements. It concludes by arguing that, while defence diplomacy can be an effective tool of statecraft, more needs to be done to emphasise partnership with Pacific Island countries and to support continued localisation.
