Vol . 9 No . 1 What we have this month January 2025
Our Cover
VOL . 9 GUAM • PALAU CNMI • FSM NO . 1
$ 1.25
JANUARY 2025
SMALL PLATE ,
BIG CHECK
With soaring restaurant prices , who still wants to dine out ?
Around the Pacific
Taiwan ’ s Pacific strategy
Military CNMI
Bracing for a war ?
A congressional report www . pacificislandtimes . com
Small plate , big check 14 -17 From the Publisher ’ s Desk
A fresh start 4 Brief Chat
Frank Blas : Decorum and civility 5
Insights Live from Saipan : What has been will be again 6 Pacific Reflections : Soft power for a cold war 7 The military mission in review 8
Economy Guam ’ s economic outlook 9
Military A recruiter ’ s paradise 10 Bracing for a war 11
CNMI Congressional wrap-up 12
Around the Pacific Taiwan ’ s Pacific strategy 18 Inside the Reef : Yaps ’ alienation 20 Microwave : The Pacific Way 21 Micronesian diaspora 22 Our Islands , Our People : Rota ’ s soil mounds 23
Life Lessons : The law of supply and demand 24 Yes & Know : Things that haven ’ t changed 25
Bookshelf Tip of the spear 26
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