How do small Pacific Island countries (PICs) fare in pursuing their national interests with the U.S.? The numerous challenges faced by the PICs originate both from their size and international strategies as well as from the consequences of the relative historical disengagement of the U.S. and Washington’s contemporary re-engagement. Since 2017, U.S. relationships with the PICs have changed, with Washington spurred to greater attention to the unfolding strategic competition with the PRC. Strategic competition has driven the U.S.’ increased engagement throughout the PICs, with the greatest focus being on the PICs of the North Pacific. Renewed funding for the Compact states in the North Pacific, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Palau has been uppermost in American thinking about the PICs. Strategic competition also drives the expanded U.S.’ interest in the South Pacific. Heightened U.S. engagement also brings numerous opportunities and challenges for the PICs.
This policy paper is organized around five questions. What challenges confront small states diplomacy in Washington? What is the status of U.S.-PIC relations? How are the complex relationships between the U.S. and the Freely Associated States (FAS) managed? How are relationships between the U.S. and the remaining Pacific Islands managed? Finally, how can PIC diplomacy with the U.S. be adapted to better advance PIC interests?
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