This is CBSI on the World with Gordon Chang, I've Gordon G. Chang, I'm John Bachelors,

and I go to tomorrow.

On the other side of the international date line, we welcome our colleague Cleopas Call of

the Foundation for the Defensive Democracies.

She's on the Republic of Palau, 20,000 population, however, most importantly a document from

the U.S. State Department looking to be a success.

Today, this is January 10th, the government of the United States of America and the government

of the Republic of Palau signed a memorandum of understanding, affirming our close and

continuing partnership.

I'll stop there because Cleo is here to explain to us the significance of this document

in the contest in the Indo-Pacific between the United States and its allies for liberty

and transparency and the court system, and the people's Republic of China, which is looking

to sign up or intimidate many of these island republics.

Cleo, this looks like good news, the Republic of Palau.

Is it good news?

Good evening to you.

Good evening.

It is.

It's a good news in the context of a very long drawn out, unnecessarily complex negotiation

over the renewal of what's called the compact, de-free association.

If you want to win a bar bet, you can ask what three countries have the United States

as their best friend and are most importantly the best friend to the United States.

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