For the United States, a powerhouse in the Pacific, it is crucial to maintain favorable relationships with the island nations situated between Hawaii and the Philippines. A diplomatic representative from the Freely Associated States (FAS) tackled this late last month, speaking at the Hudson Institute.

FAS special envoy Joseph Yun said the US should continue fostering influential ties with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau to remain a Pacific power.