Inside the Reef By Joyce McClure https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/blog-bcxs8/categories/insights (Pacific Islands Times) When the U.S. State Department sanctioned Palau Senate President Hokkons Baules and former Marshall Islands mayor Anderson Jibas, the language was unequivocal. • They “abused” their public positions. • They engaged in “theft, misuse and abuse” of funds. • They “wasted U.S. taxpayer money.” • […]
Category: Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Yes, it’s legal to shoot narco-subs in the Pacific – but the law has better options
By Natalie Klein SYDNEY, 05 MARCH 2026 (THE INTERPRETER) —There is no shortage of examples of how the United States, under President Donald Trump, flaunts long-established rules of international law. While there are limited levers available to bring the United States back into line with those rules, there are ways to limit the damage. Australia […]
Posted inOpinion
Palau Cannot Afford to Be a Pawn in America’s Wars
Dear Editor, The latest reports of Iran’s retaliatory strikes against U.S. assets should alarm small nations everywhere, but especially Palau. What began as a confrontation between Washington and Tehran has already spilled across the Gulf, hitting embassies, airports, hotels, and even Amazon’s data centers. Dubai, a city that was not a combatant, is now a […]
Posted inOpinion
When Birds Begin to Fear Humans
Notes from an Outsider on Civil and Social Friendliness Not long ago, a friend who had just returned from traveling showed me her photos. In one of them, a seabird was perched on her head, gently pecking at her hair. She did not flinch. She was smiling, completely unguarded. It was a kind of happiness […]
Posted inOpinion
A Great Recipe for Daily Health in Palau
Dear Editor, Health is not found in one big change, but in many small, daily choices. In Palau, we can strengthen our bodies, minds, spirit and communities by following a simple recipe for life. These 25 steps are not rules, they are reminders of what we already know that joy, faith, and connection are medicine. […]
Posted inOpinion
Politics as Parasites: Leaders Who Pretend to Care
Dear Editor, In Palau today, politics has become theatre. Our leaders appear on television during hearings, or show up at funerals, acting as though they are serving the people. But behind the cameras and ceremonies, they are playing politics in the worst sense of the word. Poli means “many,” and tics means “tiny blood‑sucking pests.” […]