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
The protracted Compacts of Free Association saga may imminently conclude, if the U.S. Senate passes the omnibus bill designed to avert yet another government shutdown by the deadline of midnight, March 8. Tucked away in section G, under “other matters,” is the legislation approving the third round funding renewal for the 20-year agreements that bind … Read more
On March 1, 1954, a blinding flash of light in the west made it seem as though the sun was rising from the wrong side of the ocean. The sky and the sea turned red as a mushroom cloud swelled rapidly to a height of nearly 25 miles. Ash, water, and pulverized coral rained down. … Read more
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
David Panuelo, the former president of the Federated States of Micronesia, came to Washington last week to warn that, without U.S. support, his country is becoming increasingly vulnerable to Beijing’s influence efforts. During a public event at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies on December 1, Panuelo urged the U.S. Congress to quickly approving the … Read more
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
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
Advertisement Pacific leaders will be welcomed back to Washington D.C. for the second summit with the United States on September 25. This year there is a slight, but significant, renaming of this event from the inaugural U.S.-Pacific Islands Country Summit in 2022. It is now named the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit, an indication of how … Read more
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