U.S becoming more involved with the Pacific Islands

 Antony J. Blinken was the first U.S secretary of state to visit Fiji in 36 years and he claims that this is just the start of an expanding American presence with Pacific Island leaders. Blinken said that he sees a long term future with them and he said they'll be more American involvement in help on climate change, covid vaccines, illegal fishing, and much more. The Pacific Island is stretched across from Hawaii, Asia, and Australia and they want the all the help they can get, but like many other smaller countries, they are becoming more involved in the global competition between the U.S and China. The U.S fears that China would use the prosperity and force to influence certain islands so they can set up military basis in the region "That would block the American military's ability to island-hop and deploy forces quickly to Asia in the event of war" This is obviously a big concern for the U.S so they are taking precaution. The Islanders have been asking for help from bigger powers on climate change because the waters are rapidly rising and more storms are emerging which puts these Islands at risk of becoming nonexistent. The main thing the U.S is trying to do is to get them more money to help before and after natural disasters. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/12/us/politics/blinken-fiji-pacific-islands.html

Kayla McSweeney