Phosphate-rich Nauru, with one of the world’s highest per capita incomes, becomes independent in 1968.

Unexplained distress signals from the mid-Pacific are received by radio stations in 1968, but no ships are found during a search.

An alleged May 10th, 1968, meeting in Hawaii between Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, William Colby (the head of CIA covert operations in Southeast Asia) and Gerald Parsky (deputy to ex- CIA/ex-FBI Hughes organization man Robert Maheu) is the germination of a new Australian company called Australasian and Pacific Holdings, Limited.

Travelodge Management Ltd. allegedly works through the Chase-Manhattan and Schroder banks to link the new company to the US.

In mid-July of 1968, Hunt’s Placid Oil Company and several other major oil companies—Gulf Oil, Shell (US), British Petroleum, Standard Oil of California (Chevron), Mobil, and Atlantic-Richfield Corporation (Arco)—begin exploring for oil in the Great South Basin.

Hunt reportedly funds 45.5% of the exploration costs.

On October 12, 1968, Placid Oil and the other exploration companies confirm a new oil source comparable to Alaska’s North Slope, with gas reserves estimated at 30 to 150 times larger than the Kapuni Field.

An alleged May 10, 1968, meeting in Hawaii between Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, William Colby (the head of CIA covert operations in Southeast Asia) and Gerald Parsky (deputy to ex- CIA/ex-FBI Hughes organization man Robert Maheu) is the germination of a new Australian company called Australasian and Pacific Holdings, Limited.

Travelodge Management Ltd. allegedly works through the Chase-Manhattan and Schroder banks to link the new company to the US.

On October 12, 1968, Placid Oil and the other exploration companies confirm a new oil source comparable to Alaska’s North Slope, with gas reserves estimated at 30 to 150 times larger than the Kapuni Field.

In mid-July of 1968, Hunt’s Placid Oil Company and several other major oil companies—Gulf Oil, Shell (US), British Petroleum, Standard Oil of California (Chevron), Mobil, and Atlantic-Richfield Corporation (Arco)—begin exploring for oil in the Great South Basin.

Hunt reportedly funds 45.5% of the exploration costs.

Australia’s minister for the army, Malcolm Fraser, becomes minister for education and science in 1968.

The Manila government, in 1968, claims Sabah on the island of Borneo.

After Bangkok-based talks with the Malaysian government collapse, the Phillipines incorporate the territory into their republic.

Suharto assumes the Indonesian presidency in 1968.

The US threatens the use of atomic weapons in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969.

Domestic financial concerns impel Britain's decision in the late 1960s to eliminate its military commitments east of Suez by 1971.

As a consequence, the gulf shaykhs hold a number of meetings to discuss independence.

Leaders initially consider a state that will include all nine shaykhdoms; Qatar even draws up a constitution to this effect.

Britain announces in 1968 its intent to withdraw from military commitments east of Suez, including those in force with Qatar, by 1971, thus forcing Qatari leadership to consider how to survive without British protection.