3 Key Pacific Island Nations Under Duress From China’s Malign Influence Campaign

Commentary

In the deterrence geography of the Western Pacific, the “Second Island Chain” is crucial for American and Allied forces to stage, base, and generate capabilities to deter or defeat any Chinese overt invasion of Taiwan or seizure of Philippine territory.

This Second Island Chain starts at the bottom left with the Republic of Palau, followed by the Federated States of Micronesia and the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Communist China seems to be attempting a Clausewitzian “Double Envelopment” of this chain of islands by applying malign campaigns against each end. On top of the Second Island Chain, Chinese nationals have exploited a visa-free entry process, as identified by Pacific Islands expert Cleo Paskal.  » READ MORE