Jonah Bock is the Assistant Director for Research at The Alliance Futures Initiative. His own work focuses on strategic competition, Pacific Islands geopolitics, and China's influence in the region. He brings experience spanning policy research, open-source intelligence, and futures analysis — not the kinds he reads in sci-fi.
Background
Prior to joining TAFI, Jonah served as a Senior Research Assistant at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute USA, where he published widely on Pacific Islands affairs in outlets including The Diplomat, The National Interest, and The Strategist. His work has examined topics ranging from U.S. strategic competition with China in the Pacific to Taiwan's diplomatic relationships, naval shipbuilding policy, and the geopolitics of individual island nations such as Palau and Kiribati.
He also held a virtual student federal service internship with the Department of State's East Asia and Pacific Bureau, supporting research on China's efforts to erode Taiwan's diplomatic partnerships in the Pacific.
At TAFI
Jonah produces the PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor, a weekly open-source intelligence product providing systematic tracking of Beijing's public diplomatic activities across the nine Pacific Island Countries hosting Chinese missions.
Education
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from American University's School of International Service, with a minor in Chinese Language. Jonah studied abroad in Taiwan, where he ate very well and took a couple of courses too.
Recent Work
Fiji Picks Australia; China Stays Anyway
PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor · Wk 22
Days after Fiji signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance with Australia, China’s defense attaché donated to the RFMF, attended the Commander’s birthday, and toured a frontline Fijian battalion.
China and Taiwan Both Come Bearing Gifts
PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor · Wk 21
China and Taiwan each donate to the Pacific Islands Forum in parallel bids for influence; Qian Bo engages the PIF Secretariat and Tonga’s PM.
China Delegates Pacific Diplomacy to the Provinces
PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor · Wk 20
Jiangsu Province leads China’s engagement with Fiji and Solomon Islands; Qian Bo briefs Pacific Islands diplomats in Nanjing on the Seven Cooperation Platforms.
China’s Police Walk a Fiji Beat
PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor · Wk 19
China resumes police equipment handovers to Fiji and runs an intensive seminar campaign across the region.
Fengqiao Lite in Lau Valley: China’s Grassroots Policing Model Adapts to the Solomons
PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor · Wk 18
China’s policing partnerships in the Solomons; coordinated Dialogue Among Civilizations push and a Nauru media broadcast.
Wale Goes to Canberra; Beijing Stays Busy
PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor · Wk 17
China’s continuing engagement in the Solomons, and the GX Foundation’s delegation to Tonga.
Ukrainian Outcomes, Chinese Lessons
Ukraine Red Team Report
Three scenarios for how the Russia–Ukraine war ends — and what each teaches China about Taiwan.
Last-Mile Threat: AccLinks Communications
PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor · Special Report
How AccLinks embeds high-risk Chinese hardware in Pacific Island telecommunications, gating Western-funded subsea cables.
Beijing Counts Victories in Diplomatic Competition with Taiwan
PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor · Wk 15
PNG–China economic framework; one-China affirmations from Tonga and Nauru.
From China Skeptic to Sit-Down
PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor · Wk 14
Solomon Islands PM Wale hosts Beijing's envoy; a Shanghai delegation visits Vanuatu.
Nauru and Tonga Make the Pilgrimage to Beijing
PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor · Wk 13
Delegations travel to Beijing; the NauruansChinaStory cultural campaign.
Xi to PM Marape: I Give You Guangdong
PRC Pacific Embassies Monitor · Wk 12
Papua New Guinea's investment tour; expanded PRC medical services in the Solomons and Samoa.