Interpol announced on June 16 that it had dismantled a massive cybercrime network operating across the Pacific, with arrests in Nauru and over 20,000 malicious IP addresses taken down. The operation, dubbed “Secure Pacific,” targeted info-stealers — malware bots that harvest passwords and financial data for sale on the dark web.
Participating nations included Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga, with support from Australia and the U.S. The bust highlights the region’s growing vulnerability to cyber threats — and the need for stronger digital defenses.
Australia, meanwhile, is ramping up maritime surveillance with a $477 million investment in aerial patrols to combat illegal fishing. The move follows reports that China’s coast guard is preparing to board vessels in international waters — a provocative step that has alarmed Pacific leaders.
Together, these developments underscore a new reality: the Asia-Pacific is no longer a geopolitical backwater. It’s a frontline in the battle for digital sovereignty, maritime security, and ideological alignment.
