Vol . 7 No . 09 What we have this month September 2023
 Our Cover
 Japan ’ s Fukushima water release and the looming diplomatic friction
 VOL . 7 GUAM • PALAU CNMI • FSM NO . 09
 $ 1.25
 Around the Pacific Pacific island leaders : Urgent US
 Environment
 SEPTEMBER 2023
 Sneaky snakes on Cocos Island
 Pacific island leaders : Urgent US action needed to keep Beijing at bay www . pacificislandtimes . com
 Confronting the China challenge 16-17
 What do residents say about the missile defense system 20
 From the Publisher ’ s Desk
 The monstrous adversary 4
 Brief Chat
 George Chiu : Looking at the bright side 6
 Insights Pacific Reflections : A disastrous disaster response 7 Live from Saipan : Grabbing opportunities 8 View from the Trench : News blackout on Guam 9
 Environment Snake hunting on Cocos Island 10-11
 Infrastructure Powering up a bigger population 12-13
 CNMI The gun control debate 14
 Policy Waiving the Buy America rule 15
 Around the Pacific Protesting Japan ’ s nuclear water release 21-22 Covid response in the Marshall Islands 23 Yap : What ’ s in a name ? 24 Our Islands Our People : The red clay pot 25 Feature : The origin of conflict and harmony 26
 Life Lessons : Being with the winning teams 28 Daydream : Charmed by Bangkok 29 Bookshelf : AI is watching 29
 Philippines Who brings home the bacon ? 27
 Art Art Therapy : Alana an up-and-coming artist 30