Micronesia’s ex-leader, urging US funds for Pacific islands and warning of China war, stirs debate


A bombshell letter Micronesia’s former leader sent to US Vice-President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Mike Johnson warning a Sino-American war could ensue should Congress fail to approve funds for deals between Washington and three Pacific island nations has stirred a debate among Indo-Pacific experts on his claims.

“The war between China and the United States that Admiral John C Aquilino described earlier this year as being ‘not imminent nor inevitable’ may become imminent and may become inevitable, if [Cofa] is not signed this year,” said David Panuelo in his letter on Friday, noting a remark by the American commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command.

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