‘Already Late’: Pentagon Sounds Alarm on Funding Pacific Island Pact

USA (Washington Insider Magazine)—U.S. defense officials are raising concerns about the delay in funding for the Pacific island pacts, which grant the U.S. exclusive military access to the territories of Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. The agreements, worth $7 billion over 20 years, were updated last year but are still pending approval in Congress.

The delay jeopardizes vital U.S. defense capabilities, especially in countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. The islands provide crucial staging grounds for U.S. military assets, including the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site and radar installations. Without funding, the U.S. risks losing access to these strategic territories, potentially giving China an opening to expand its presence.

Defense officials are urging swift Congressional action to avoid further disruptions to U.S. operations and to maintain credibility with regional partners.