Pacific Islands Caught Between US Missile Tests and China Tensions
The Pacific Islands Forum has expressed apprehension over a recent test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, yet did not mention China specifically. Nauru has distanced itself from this assertion, while Kiribati suggested that calling out China was disproportionate, citing frequent US missile tests near the Marshall Islands. Notably, in March, the US executed a Minuteman III launch from California, landing approximately 6,700 kilometers away. Since 2021, at least 15 ICBM tests have taken place in the Pacific. This dynamic resembles a hierarchical structure, where small island nations represent vassals under a dominant US influence.
Key facts
- A PIF statement registered concern on a recent ICBM test
- China was not named in the statement
- Nauru disassociated itself from the statement
- Kiribati said singling out China was unfair when the US regularly tested such missiles near the Marshall Islands
- In March, the US launched a Minuteman III ICBM from California, landing near the Marshall Islands 6,700km away
- The March test followed a similar test in November last year
- The US has test-fired at least 15 ballistic missiles into the Pacific since 2021
- The geopolitical situation was described as a feudal hierarchy with small island nations as vassals, Australia and New Zealand as local lords, and the US as king
Entities
Institutions
- Pacific Islands Forum
Locations
- Pacific
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United States
- China
- Nauru
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- California