Interesting goings on that aren't being talked about much if at all.
They are a free state but with enhanced ties to the US. Their citizens get some US benefits, we protect them, they use the dollar, etc. They are close to Guam and the Marshall's so they hold strategic importance, and have a massive fishing ground because of how spread out the country is.
But the compact we have with them expires in 2023 (it was renewed for 20 years in 2003). And guess who is making inroads? Yep, China. And in the midst of that tug of war (which Micronesia is smartly exploiting by playing us against each other), their main population center wants their own independence, which would throw everything sideways - and again coincidentally, guess part of the country China has focused on? That vote is in March. Really good read on the geopolitical implications of it all.

https://hir.harvard.edu/micronesia-the-next-us-china-battleground-2/

I'm sure joe is all over it

But is it going to tip over if both the US and China get involved?!

I used to live in Chuuk and know Chuukese (at least I used to). It's the poorest state in Micronesia. The backwater. And it feels like the step-child as a result.

Many Chuukese live and work in the US. It would be devastating to Chuukese people to lose this status.

But there is a long history of Chuukese voting for whoever gives the biggest handout. So you can never rule out a big paycheck influencing the final decision.

shiftyandquick said:

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I used to live in Chuuk and know Chuukese (at least I used to). It's the poorest state in Micronesia. The backwater. And it feels like the step-child as a result.

Many Chuukese live and work in the US. It would be devastating to Chuukese people to lose this status.

But there is a long history of Chuukese voting for whoever gives the biggest handout. So you can never rule out a big paycheck influencing the final decision.

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TexAgs never fails to amaze me. Great insight

But won't the islands flip over if china goes there?

I guess it doesn't matter because global warming…er climate change is going to make the ocean rise and cover the islands first.

Isn't this how it goes? I get my mentally challenged democrat talking points mixed up sometimes.

Mr. AGSPRT04 said:

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But is it going to tip over if both the US and China get involved?!

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Depends on location. If each were on opposite sides of the island, it would break in half like a cookie.

There was a huge Japanese naval base in Chuuk during world war II. United States took out this naval force and operation hailstorm. These Japanese warships at the bottom of this lagoon are today a tourist attraction for scuba divers. Put the point is that this location could make an excellent naval base, given that it already was a major naval base in the past.

Quick update here, looks like it's on hold again .seems the expats in the US are a big factor.

https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/an-abandoned-dream

But the Solomon's are on deck.

https://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-solomon-islands-considers-security-071019922.html

shiftyandquick said:

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I used to live in Chuuk and know Chuukese (at least I used to). It's the poorest state in Micronesia. The backwater. And it feels like the step-child as a result.

Many Chuukese live and work in the US. It would be devastating to Chuukese people to lose this status.

But there is a long history of Chuukese voting for whoever gives the biggest handout. So you can never rule out a big paycheck influencing the final decision.

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Mind if I ask what brought you to Chuuk?

I worked with a lot of Chuukese in Hawaii.

No more American middle class tax money for world-wide ingrates. You play us? Bye.

Mr. AGSPRT04 said:

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But is it going to tip over if both the US and China get involved?!

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China has more people and land so they'll have to take responsibility.

This is a fascinating thread for me...I spent quite a bit of time in Micronesia a few years ago.

There was plenty of talk about this back then. After a typhoon hit Chuuk, some USAID folks told me that they caught village leaders selling supplies to their constituents that had been donated to them by the US Govt. Of course they would regret aligning with China, but it would be too late at that point.

Apparently the US has agreed to build a military base in FSM. I have no idea what that means, but that's huge.

https://theworld.org/stories/2021-08-24/us-building-military-base-middle-pacific-ocean-micronesian-residents-have

Have you read Senator Cleary's position paper on Micronesia?

No, but I did read the one on Paraguayan debt. It was genius.

If they sign a deal with China, it will become like this.

AGinHI said:

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shiftyandquick said:

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I used to live in Chuuk and know Chuukese (at least I used to). It's the poorest state in Micronesia. The backwater. And it feels like the step-child as a result.

Many Chuukese live and work in the US. It would be devastating to Chuukese people to lose this status.

But there is a long history of Chuukese voting for whoever gives the biggest handout. So you can never rule out a big paycheck influencing the final decision.

---

Mind if I ask what brought you to Chuuk?

I worked with a lot of Chuukese in Hawaii.

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LDS mission

shiftyandquick said:

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AGinHI said:

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shiftyandquick said:

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I used to live in Chuuk and know Chuukese (at least I used to). It's the poorest state in Micronesia. The backwater. And it feels like the step-child as a result.

Many Chuukese live and work in the US. It would be devastating to Chuukese people to lose this status.

But there is a long history of Chuukese voting for whoever gives the biggest handout. So you can never rule out a big paycheck influencing the final decision.

---

Mind if I ask what brought you to Chuuk?

I worked with a lot of Chuukese in Hawaii.

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LDS mission

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Well hello Brother Quick.

I'm not at all surprised.

oragator said:

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Interesting goings on that aren't being talked about much if at all.
They are a free state but with enhanced ties to the US. Their citizens get some US benefits, we protect them, they use the dollar, etc. They are close to Guam and the Marshall's so they hold strategic importance, and have a massive fishing ground because of how spread out the country is.
But the compact we have with them expires in 2023 (it was renewed for 20 years in 2003). And guess who is making inroads? Yep, China. And in the midst of that tug of war (which Micronesia is smartly exploiting by playing us against each other), their main population center wants their own independence, which would throw everything sideways - and again coincidentally, guess part of the country China has focused on? That vote is in March. Really good read on the geopolitical implications of it all.

https://hir.harvard.edu/micronesia-the-next-us-china-battleground-2/

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Let us do an assessment Does the benefits outweigh the costs?

They are better off being poor than being beholden to China but I don't expect people in the middle of that to make that kind of strategic decision.

Solomons signed their deal with China, US and Australia trying to get them to reconsider.

https://apnews.com/article/52dcf38fabdf56dcd951343d1f6decfb

In settings of great poverty, a bag of gold speaks louder than anything else.

And it's begun, US and British ships denied ports of call in the Solomons. Or more accurately, seems they were ghosted.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2022/08/26/report-us-coast-guard-ship-denied-port-call-in-solomons/

oragator said:

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Solomons signed their deal with China, US and Australia trying to get them to reconsider.

https://apnews.com/article/52dcf38fabdf56dcd951343d1f6decfb

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Is that the same as Micronesia?

oragator said:

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And it's begun, US and British ships denied ports of call in the Solomons. Or more accurately, seems they were ghosted.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2022/08/26/report-us-coast-guard-ship-denied-port-call-in-solomons/

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Hmm. Disturbing. In earlier days the old Royal Navy would have entered harbor anyway. They were always not quite like us on such matters.

But Solomons warns of where Micronesia may go, though it is more near Saipan and Yap and not the Solomons. But the Solomons shows what is at stake and how it could go with Micronesia if this is mis-handled.

Where are the Japanese in all these discussions? It would seem like they would have a vested interest in what goes on here.

To be clear, is this Eurasia, or Eastasia?

titan said:

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oragator said:

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And it's begun, US and British ships denied ports of call in the Solomons. Or more accurately, seems they were ghosted.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2022/08/26/report-us-coast-guard-ship-denied-port-call-in-solomons/

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Hmm. Disturbing. In earlier days the old Royal Navy would have entered harbor anyway. They were always not quite like us on such matters.

But Solomons warns of where Micronesia may go, though it is more near Saipan and Yap and not the Solomons. But the Solomons shows what is at stake and how it could go with Micronesia if this is mis-handled.

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I'm ignorant as to the implications of this issue
but here's my stance: If it's going to cost money to keep them, then let them go. I don't GAF what happens to them next.

Thanks for the link and giving us the big picture.

We've always been at war with Micronesia...

Ummm...right?

hawk1689 said:

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I'm ignorant as to the implications of this issue
but here's my stance: If it's going to cost money to keep them, then let them go. I don't GAF what happens to them next.

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China is making a play for a strategic partnership so they can put a base there. It would put them close to Guam and Australia.

I also don't GAF what happens in Guam and Australia.