In a significant move reflecting the United States’ strategic interest in the Pacific region, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators has proposed legislation aimed at supporting the establishment of national security councils in specific Pacific island states. These islands are home to vital U.S. military installations and are considered to be at risk of espionage and coercion by China.
Context and Background
The Pacific islands have been of strategic importance to the U.S. for many decades. Their vast territorial waters, the relatively sparse population, and strategic location have made them a central point in U.S. military planning. In the context of the modern geopolitical landscape, these areas have become especially critical, given China’s growing influence and assertiveness in the region.
The National Defense Authorization Act
The provisions relating to the establishment of security councils are included in the sweeping National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate last month. However, this comprehensive legislation is still several steps away from being enacted into law.
Should it become law, the NDAA would allow for enhanced coordination between the U.S. security establishment and three Pacific island states: Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia. These sparsely populated nations have unique relationships with the U.S., governed by so-called Compacts of Free Association (COFA).
Compacts of Free Association
Under the terms of COFA, Washington retains responsibility for the defense of these nations and provides economic assistance in exchange for exclusive access to strategic swathes of the ocean. These agreements enable the U.S. to maintain military bases, radar installations, and other vital defense assets in these territories.
Recently, renewed COFA deals with Micronesia and Palau were agreed upon, and negotiations are ongoing with the Marshall Islands. These negotiations come at a time when China is making significant inroads into the Pacific, a region that the U.S. has historically regarded as its sphere of influence.
China’s Growing Influence
China’s growing presence in the Pacific has prompted serious concerns among U.S. policymakers. Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a co-sponsor of the proposed legislation, has been vocal in expressing these concerns, citing examples such as Beijing’s strengthened ties with the Solomon Islands and incursions by Chinese vessels into Palau’s waters.
Ernst’s statement highlighted the limited coordination between the U.S. and the COFA nations in countering Chinese malign influence, land purchases around U.S. installations, and infiltration and monitoring of U.S. activities in the islands. She emphasized that the strategic location of these islands is integral to national security, but the lack of direct channels of communication creates risks.
The NDAA Provision
The NDAA provision is co-sponsored by Democrats Mazie Hirono, Tim Kaine, and Chris Van Hollen. It represents a bipartisan recognition of the importance of these islands and the need for robust measures to protect American interests.
According to an aide to Senator Ernst, Palau has already established a national security council, and other COFA states are actively considering doing so. The U.S. has significant military installations on the islands, including high-powered radar on Palau and its main long-range missile testing site in the Marshall Islands.
Purpose and Structure of the Security Councils
The proposed councils would consist of members of respective COFA states and utilize Pentagon-approved communications equipment. This would not only prevent Chinese espionage but also enable sharing of intelligence among the U.S. and COFA nations.
Beyond countering Chinese espionage, the councils would also enable better coordination in areas such as maritime security and in countering illegal fishing. The aide further explained that the bill would not mandate the COFA islands to establish these councils but would provide U.S. support for such cooperation if they chose to do so.
CONVENE Act
In addition to the NDAA, a separate bill known as the ‘CONVENE Act’ is expected to be submitted soon, providing further details and expansion of the proposed legislation. It is likely to build upon the foundation laid by the NDAA and address more specific concerns and mechanisms for collaboration between the U.S. and the Pacific island nations.
Conclusion
The proposed legislation reflects a broader strategy by the U.S. to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific region and to safeguard American national security interests. By fostering closer ties with strategic Pacific island states and promoting greater coordination, the U.S. aims to ensure its continued presence and influence in a region that has become increasingly contested.
While the NDAA is still pending final approval, the bipartisan support for the provisions underscores the recognition of the urgency and importance of this matter. The ongoing negotiations and legislative efforts demonstrate a renewed focus on an area that, in the context of U.S.-China competition, could be central to the balance of power in the Pacific for years to come. The development and potential enactment of these provisions will be a matter of close attention in the coming months, reflecting the critical nature of the Pacific islands to U.S. strategic interests.
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