United States to invest US$500m in Palau port expansion amid local concerns over conflict and environment

The United States (US) military’s planned US$500 million (SR1.88 billion) expansion of the main port in Palau, according to statements from the Palauan government and the United States Department of Defense (US Department of Defense), has prompted concerns among local residents and officials about the risk of renewed superpower conflict and environmental damage. The project, which involves reconstructing a Second World War-era wharf and dredging the harbor to accommodate United States Navy (US Navy) ships, has revived memories of past wars and led to calls for assurances from Washington regarding Palau’s defense and environmental protection.