The Importance of America’s Pacific Family

The Importance of America’s Pacific Family

After years of negotiations, the third iteration of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) between the United States and the countries of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), are nearing completion. “Compact III” was signed into law in the United States on March 9, shortly after … Read more

US Congress’ COFA Delay Jeopardizes a Key Element of the’ Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ 

US Congress’ COFA Delay Jeopardizes a Key Element of the’ Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ 

Months ago, negotiations concluded between the United States and the three U.S. Freely Associated States (FAS) – Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia (FMS) and the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) – on the terms of the renewals of key components of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA).  Those components cover primarily financial and service … Read more

‘Oppenheimer,’ Nuclear Amnesia, and the US Pacific Legacy

‘Oppenheimer,’ Nuclear Amnesia, and the US Pacific Legacy

Advertisement Since the release of the blockbuster film, “Oppenheimer,” in July 2023, global audiences have been confronting history about U.S. atomic weapons development and the individuals involved. The recording-breaking film, “Oppenheimer,” shadows the present in ominous ways. The latest news about the Russian test of a “next-gen nuclear missile” is a chilling reminder of the … Read more

US Pacific Policy Forges Ahead With Successful 2nd Summit

US Pacific Policy Forges Ahead With Successful 2nd Summit

Advertisement As with the inaugural summit last year, the second U.S.-Pacific Islands summit in Washington, D.C., featured a raft of initiatives with attached dollar signs and U.S. government involvement from President Joe Biden down. The message of this summit, in line with Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s message to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders in … Read more

Politics Risk Derailing One of America’s Most Important Strategic Agreements

Politics Risk Derailing One of America’s Most Important Strategic Agreements

Advertisement Of the Pacific Island states, the three countries that are unquestionably the closest allies of the United States are the Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The closeness of the relationship between the United States and each of the three is legally captured in … Read more