Opinion: Harris and the Pacific Islands: Delivering on a Pacific vision
In the whirlwind of speeches to cement Kamala Harris’ presidential credentials, the Pacific Islands have hardly rated a
Compact
President Whipps sued in the U.S courts for alleged violation of the Compact Treaty
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. was sued in Sherman, Texas, USA and was served the court summons earlier this month while campaigning in Texas. The lawsuit was filed by Christa NafstadToribiong, the current wife of
Marshall Islands launches public engagement on new Compact deal
While both Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) have endorsed their new Compacts of Free Association with Washington, the Marshall Islands just launched its review process Thursday with the first of a
RMI President questions US commitment on COFA funding
Republic of Marshall Islands President, Hilda Heine, has questioned whether the Marshalls have reached a crossroads in its relationship with the United States. As Marshallese gathered to commemorate Nuclear Victims
China lures Palau with economic incentives to break ties with Taiwan
China has promised Palau economic benefits in exchange for the latter severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a letter the Palauan president wrote to an unnamed United States senator revealed. President Surangel Whipps
U.S. Senate fails to add Compact Funds to aid package
A last-minute bipartisan effort to add key funding aimed at countering China in the Pacific has failed in the U.S. Senate even as a US$95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan moved forward. A renewal of
Micronesian leaders warn ‘competitive political actors’ exploiting delays in U.S. funding
Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, which occupy a militarily strategic expanse of the western Pacific, have warned that delays to U.S. financial assistance have created opportunities for “competitive
Nations can look elsewhere: Micronesia ex-leader urges U.S. to keep funds pledge
Months after exiting office, the former president of the Federated States of Micronesia has urged American lawmakers to keep their promise of approving funds for the Compact of Free Association (Cofa) pact, warning that
Opinion: What the U.S. should do better in its engagement with the Pacific
At the U.S. Institute of Peace’s Interorganisational Global Forum on security cooperation in the Pacific islands in September, the U.S. emphasised a ‘whole-of-government effort’ in engaging with the region that
U.S., Marshall Islands finally seal a new deal under COFA
After months of thorny negotiations that almost broke down at certain points, the United States and the Marshall Islands have finally signed a new 20-year agreement to renew the economic provisions of the Compact of
U.S. negotiator expects to sign new deal with Marshall Islands this week
The United States has finalised a 20-year extension to its agreement on ties with the strategic Marshall Islands and expects to sign the US$2.3 billion deal on Monday, chief U.S. negotiator with the Pacific island
Opinion: 29 years of independence: Palau at a crossroads
Every year on the first of October, the U.S government marks the beginning of a new fiscal year, and so does the Palau government. But what appears to be a lost detail, yet historically significant, event marks the
U.S. groping for contingency plan amid expiration of COFA’s economic provisions
The U.S. economic provisions for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Marshall Islands under the Compacts of Free Association expired on 30 September without being renewed as the U.S. Congress continued to
Opinion: Government shutdown threatens key U.S. effort to counter China in Pacific
A looming government shutdown threatens to upend a major multibillion-dollar diplomatic initiative between the United States and three Pacific Island nations that the Biden administration views as a cornerstone of its
Opinion: U.S. under pressure to conclude compact agreements in the North Pacific
Little information has emerged about how negotiations for the renewal of the Compact of Free Association (COFA) between the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the United States are progressing. The United States
Opinion: U.S. claims to Central Pacific flout International law
In defiance of international norms and rules, U.S. officials are laying claim to the large oceanic area in the central Pacific Ocean that is home to the compact states. Now that they are renewing the economic provisions
Q&A: U.S. considering security guarantees for three Pacific Island nations
U.S. Congress is reviewing a proposal from President Joe Biden to create new security guarantees for three Pacific Island states: the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. If Congress passes the Compacts of Free
Marshall Islands end U.S. Compact hold-out
When an 11th hour appeal for more nuclear test compensation by Marshall Islands leaders fell flat in the United States Congress in mid-July, the government endorsed a stalled funding agreement ending a seven-month
President Whipps: U.S. radar makes Palau a ‘target’
The U.S. military’s plan to install a warning radar in Palau makes the Pacific country a “target” for potential foreign aggressors, President Surangel Whipps Jr said, stressing that the risk must be worth it. And
Congress prodded to finalise Compact package for freely associated states
Defence officials and territorial delegates have pressed both houses of Congress to tie up the proposed new economic packages under the Compacts of Free Association, noting the freely associated states’ critical role
Marshall Islands seeks U.S. apology, compensation for nuclear tests damage
The Marshall Islands on Tuesday called on Washington to pay “full” compensation for the health, environmental and cultural damage caused by 67 nuclear tests carried out by the American government, refusing to accept
Marshall Islands Compact held up by nuclear legacy
The lack of agreement on the nuclear legacy issues holds up the Marshall Islands’ Compact Review negotiations with the United States, according to Marshall Islands Speaker Kenneth Kedi during the Marshall Islands
Palau and U.S. formally sign Compact Review Agreement
Palau and the United States formally signed the Compact Review Agreement in Papua New Guinea this week, witnessed by President Surangel Whipps Jr and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Palau Chief Compact
Second Compact Review Agreement created fundamental change in Palau/U.S. relationship: Farrow
The second Compact Review Agreement initialed last week by Palau Chief Compact Negotiator Kaleb Udui Jr and U.S. Special Envoy Joseph Yun is the “most significant since the first Compact relationship” with the