The tropical nation of Palau has no traffic lights and just 18,000 people—and it’s now ground zero for a U.S.-China standoff
- Posted on August 31, 2026
- By Fortune
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- 1 min read
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The tropical nation of Palau has no traffic lights and just 18,000 people—and it’s now ground zero for a U.S.-China standoff
Small island states command strategic waters, ports and potential seabed minerals, giving them leverage in the contest for Pacific influence
