Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/solomon-islands-province-not-happy-australian-police-presence-political-aide-2021-11-29/
Summary: The Solomon Islands, a south Pacific nation consisting of hundreds of islands, has expressed dissatisfaction in the high police presence of Australian police in the nation. Protests against the Prime Minister in the country, Manasseh Sogavare, have resulted in looting, violence, and destruction. In an attempt to restore calm, Sogavare requested troops of soldiers and police from Australia. 100 police and soldiers from Australia, 50 from Papua New Guinea, and soon, 50 troops from Fiji, are arriving in the Solomon islands to support local police. Calm has been widely restored and protests have simmered down, but tensions are still high as the people of the islands remain upset with the prime minister. Many people face unemployment, overcrowded housing, no running water, and lack of job opportunities in the Solomon islands, and protesters have been pressuring the Prime minister to take action. The police and soldiers brought in plan to stabilize the country so that the government and people can resolve their situation peacefully.
Analysis: I believe this was an understandable decision on the part of the prime minister. I hope that the heightened police presence minimizes violence, and that the country does not use them to prosecute innocent opposition of the government. The Solomon Islands faces a crisis right now as many people urge the government and companies to help provide jobs and resources for the people. I believe that a lot of the protesters might be influenced in their anger by the countries 2019 switch to formally recognize China instead of Taiwan. Many people worldwide are opposed to this because they see Taiwan as deserving of its own official status as its own country. I do hope the situation is resolved, with a democratic solution where all the people get to have a say in what the government does. I believe Sogavare also needs to address the people and their needs, and provide a solution to the unemployment and other issues in the region.
How does this relate to IR: This relates to international relations because it incorporates a lot of themes of democracy. It is important in this situation to understand that a lot of the solutions to domestic conflict lie in democratic institutions, voting, and representation. Most of the people in the Solomon islands are just urging to be heard, and to have the ability to influence the governments decisions.