Overview:
A new opinion piece warns that escalating tensions between the United States and Iran could have dangerous consequences for small nations aligned with major powers. The writer argues that Palau must carefully consider the risks of deeper military ties with Washington, warning that superpower conflicts could pull the island nation into wars far beyond its control.
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 casualty simply because of its ties to the United States. This is the reality of modern warfare: proximity or friendship with a superpower can make you a target, whether you choose to fight or not.
For Palau, the lesson is clear. Our leaders have been eager to align with U.S. policies, supporting deportations, welcoming militarization, and presenting themselves as “tough guys” in the global arena. But this posture is reckless. It ignores the fact that Palau faces no direct threat from Iran, China, or any other power. The danger comes only when we allow ourselves to be drawn into America’s conflicts. If Iran is willing to strike its neighbors simply for hosting U.S. bases, what happens when Washington decides to escalate against China? Palau, as a “friend” of the U.S., could find itself in the middle of a devastating war we never asked for.
President Trump’s rhetoric makes this risk even greater. He has openly declared that wars can be fought “forever” with America’s “virtually unlimited” weapons. He promised no war, yet now there is war. He claimed deportations would only affect non-citizens, yet his administration has killed U.S. citizens. If he is willing to break promises to his own people, why should Palau believe he will protect us? To assume otherwise is to indulge in dangerous illusions.
The reality is that Palau’s support for U.S. militarization is not about security, it is about money. Our leaders see financial gain in hosting deportees or aligning with American military ventures. But this short-term profit comes at the cost of long-term survival. By tying ourselves to U.S. war policies, we risk becoming collateral damage, just as Dubai has. We risk losing our sovereignty, our stability, and our people’s safety for the sake of a “fair-weather friend.”
Palau must resist this path. We should not take sides in wars that are not ours. We should not vote to support reckless attacks on Iran or any other nation. We should not allow wannabe warriors to gamble with our future. Instead, we must be proactive in safeguarding neutrality, building relationships with stable partners, and refusing to be caught in the middle of conflicts driven by superpower ambitions. True leadership is not about mimicking America’s “toughness”, it is about protecting Palau’s sovereignty and ensuring our islands are not sacrificed for someone else’s war.
The tragedy unfolding in the Gulf is a warning. If Dubai can become a casualty simply for being friendly to Washington, Palau could too. Our leaders must wake up to this reality before it is too late.
Your Humble Servant
Dudalm Kelulau
The Silent Majority
by Dudalm Kelulau
alkahalic6801@gmail.com