Eighty years after it played a pivotal role in World War 2, the Pacific island of Tinian in the Northern Marianas (CNMI) has reemerged as a critical part of “America’s Asian frontline”. In August 1945, Tinian’s North Field was the site where the world’s nuclear bomb was loaded onto the Enola Gay, before being dropped on Hiroshima. The same airstrip was recently cleared of decades of jungle overgrowth. Located less than 3,000km from Taiwan, this U.S. overseas territory forms part of the ‘Second Island Chain’ in the U.S. strategy to contain China. Last month, however, the governor died abruptly after repeatedly warning of growing Chinese influence as well as domestic corruption. What role would Tinian play in a potential Taiwan Strait conflict? And how concerned should we be about the late governor’s warnings? Join us as we discuss the escalating race among Beijing, Washington and their allies for geopolitical influence in the Pacific.
