As a United States territory without a vote in Congress and an island community fighting for self-determination, how do we arm ourselves with our own definition of security amid the current geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific? The Pacific Center for Island Security recently hosted a two-day forum seeking to answer that question.

It’s a perspective and definition that island communities have to define for themselves, outside of those “in uniform” or thousands of miles away in the nation’s capitol, according to former Guam congressman Dr. Robert Underwood., adding, "Because the island communities are being asked to put themselves on the line. We need to know whether we should be, what are the costs, what are the tradeoffs, and what are the benefits?"

The Guam-based thinktank recently hosted a virtual workshop focused on security and insecurity in Micronesia, of which Underwood said, "Island definitions of security need to be articulated, because right now, military commanders on Guam always talk about partnership. They want to engage in partnership, which means you have shared decision making. Right now, Guam doesn’t have shared decision making. They decide and we react. And if we react negatively, they say you’re not being a good partner. That kind of relationship cannot continue."

The forum underscored their mission to examine and bring attention to the current geopolitical competition in the region through international speakers. These experts say Japan and China are showing interest in Micronesia beyond security and military initiatives - through soft power strategies.

"It’s refreshing to hear that," Underwood noted, "because what we’re hearing in Guam is mostly the drumbeat of fear and trepidation, and the only way to resolve any type of strategic competition with China is through military arms and military defensive strategies."

For instance, Dr. Denghua Zhang, a senior fellow at Australian National University’s Department of Pacific Affairs, says China has been increasing foreign aid while the US withdraws theirs. "China has been looking for opportunities to increase their influence in the Pacific Region, including in those Micronesian countries," Underwood said.

"Under the Trump Administration, USAID is withering on the vine. All of those programs, including vaccine programs and different kinds of projects like that exist in the Compact states, are now being shriveled."

Underwood says the Trump Administration has “Invested all their eggs in the military basket,” creating a defensive mentality that concedes economic, diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives to competing countries. "And so the question is, is that a wise move? And the question for us, is what is good for us? What is good for Guam?" he said.

"You’re not developing a mentality for the future. And the future is going to come whether you like it or not."

In the meantime, PCIS is to create a publication following the forum, which he says will be of “enormous value” to island communities.