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Despite its relatively tiny size and economy, events in the Solomon Islands may soon shape Australia's foreign and defense policies and impact Canberra's participation in the global war against terrorism. Australian forces are expected to deploy there on July 24 to lead a multinational intervention force -- a mission that will serve as a test case for Canberra's new and more assertive regional security role. If things go well, Australia is likely to accelerate plans to become the self-appointed regional protector. But if things go poorly, Canberra might rethink not only its evolving defense doctrine but also its participation in other multilateral operations far from Australian shores, including in Iraq.
The six main islands and nearly 1,000 smaller islands, atolls and reefs comprising the Solomon Islands stretch along a 900-mile line just east of Papua New Guinea. The country's population is just under half a million, with a per capita GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) of $1,700, just 1/16 that of neighboring Australia, which has a population of nearly 20 million and a per capita GDP PPP of $27,000. Among Australia's trading partners, the Solomon Islands ranks 79th.
Nevertheless, Australia volunteered to lead the intervention -- the largest military operation in the Pacific since World War II -- garnering the blessing of the Pacific Islands Forum and pledges of support from several other nations. The force is to number between 2,000 and 2,500 soldiers, police and administrators, with the bulk -- 1,500 soldiers and 300 police -- coming from Australia. New Zealand will contribute 100 soldiers and 35 police officers, while Fiji is dispatching more than 120 soldiers, Papua New Guinea will send 40 police and 44 soldiers, and the Cook Islands has volunteered two or three police officers. Canberra also is seeking financial support from Japan and is negotiating with France for funds as well, although Paris has asked to take part in the military force.
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