The day the taro stopped growing

World War Two shipwreck graveyards a 'ticking timebomb' for Micronesia's water

Beneath the turquoise waters of Chuuk Lagoon lies a graveyard of World War Two shipwrecks, rusting hulks still packed with oil, quietly breaking down and threatening disaster for the communities above. In this episode of ABC Radio Australia's Politok show, host Scott Waide investigates how a war the Pacific never chose has become a ticking environmental time bomb, and why Pacific nations are still waiting for the world to take responsibility. Talent list: Ranger Walter, Chuuk Lagoon Marine Ranger Peter Aten, Division Chief for Commerce and Industry, Federated States of Micronesia Dr Matt Carter, Inkfish Marine Archaeologist Mohammed Zullah, Pollution Advisor, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) This edition of Politok was a repeat of the program broadcast on 3rd February 2026

Cost of COFA: Broken promises from veteran's care to nuclear justice (Part 2)

As a new phase of the Compact of Free Association comes into force, the Marshall Islands' Foreign Minister is speaking out about what the deal has really delivered and what remains unfulfilled. In this episode of Politok on ABC Radio Australia, Minister Kalani Kaneko lays bare the gaps in veterans' care, the unfinished business of nuclear justice, and why Marshallese leaders say Washington's promises have too often stalled at implementation. Join presenter Scott Waide for Part 2 of Politok's look into the Cost of COFA. This edition of Politok was a repeat of the program broadcast on 27th January 2026

The cost of COFA: Marshallese veterans and America's war machine (Part 1)

For decades, Marshallese men and women have fought in America's wars under the Compact of Free Association, a military partnership that some veterans believe is unequal. Russell Langrine, a former U-S Marine, is now forced to live thousands of kilometres from home just to access veterans' care and he's questioning whether COFA ever truly delivered on its promises. This edition of Politok was a repeat of the program broadcast on 20th January 2026 Talent List: Russell Langrine, Former U.S. Marine and Marshallese veteran Professor Emily Mitchell-Eaton, author and scholar of US empire and migration at Colgate University Benetick Kabua Maddison, Executive Director Marshallese Educational Initiative Presenter: Scott Waide

Breaking the spell: Can PNG end sorcery violence?

In pockets of Papua New Guinea when whispers of sorcery ripple through a village often a vulnerable woman is attacked and killed. It sounds like a barbaric system from ages past, but research shows it's a modern problem. In 2015 the PNG government put together a national plan to stop sorcery related violence, but the problem is getting worse, and survivors say the burden rests on them to stage rescues and try to fix the issue. This edition of Politok was a repeat of the program broadcast on 13th January 2026

The day the taro stopped growing

When Palau's giant swamp taro began rotting from the inside out, it sent a warning far beyond one island.