This thesis proposes United States policy options for the Southwest Pacific. It examines the political, economic, military, and social environment of the Southwest Pacific. It then details current U.S. economic, military and political interests in the region. The thesis then assesses the threats to U.S. interests and proposes options to negate or minimize the impact of these threats. It is the contention of this writer that the United States must take a more active role in the affairs of the region and bring more political and security interests into the formulation of policies concerning the region, as opposed to previous emphasis on economic ones. Contents: The Area Defined; United States Interests and Objectives; Other States with Interests in the Southwest Pacific; Towards A Nuclear-Free New Zealand; South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone; Fishing Issue; Threats to American Interests in the Region.