An internationally recognized researcher on United States militarization is on island this week. And tomorrow, he’s inviting the community into a candid conversation about its impact on the Marianas. "The sheer massive military presence here is unlike anywhere I’ve seen in the world," explained Dr. David Vine.

A deeper look at militarization and its effects on island communities is coming to the Guam Museum Theatre on Tuesday evening.  Vine, an author and political anthropologist, will spearhead the event, hosted by Prutehi Guåhan and our Common Wealth 670. Vine has spent years studying how US bases shape economies, environments, and everyday life around the world. 

He says the Marianas fits into a much larger global pattern. Vine added, "The pattern of environmental damage and the pattern of economies that are revolving around military spending in really insecure ways are patterns we see worldwide that I’ve been studying for the past 25 years."

"I think it’s important because it's really a life and death matter. The military buildup is affecting people everyday in their daily lives–when it comes to the water, soil and air, the environment people live in, the economy where people struggle to make a living."

Monaeka Flores with Prutehi Guåhan says the goal is to create space for open, informed dialogue. She said, "As we’re facing this massive military buildup here, the constant pressure for comment periods, the constant pressure of war games, as well as all the harmful proposals being considered for the Northern Marianas…as well as our long history of environmental justice issues. This is just a very critical moment. We really wanted to build a space to connect our very diverse audience with the work of Dr. Vine, to contextualize it in our own history and our own experiences here."

Vine is the author of a trilogy of books - The United States of War, Base Nation and Island of Shame. His research has become a touchpoint for discussions about land rights, displacement, and environmental change in regions with large military footprints. He invites residents, service members and veterans to engage in candid conversations. 

"This is a life and death matter for people in Guam more than anyone because the way in which Guam is at the heart of the military buildup in the Pacific, and is thus a target and would be ground zero for any future war– that I want to do everything in my power to prevent," he said.

The event kicks off Tuesday at 6pm at the Guam Museum Theatre and will be followed by a reception.  Vine’s books will be available for purchase, and some will be raffled off.

The event is free and open to the public.