What responsibilities for Palau’s defense were assigned to the United States under the Compact of Free Association?

Under the Compact of Free Association signed between Palau and the United States, the United States holds the responsibility for Palau’s external security and defense. Because Palau maintains no armed forces of its own, the United States is tasked with protecting the country.12

A notable aspect of this defense arrangement involved the United States' right to operate nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed vessels and aircraft within Palau’s jurisdiction. Under the terms of the compact, the United States reserved the right to neither confirm nor deny the presence of such weapons, which initially conflicted with Palau’s constitutional antinuclear provisions before the agreement was finalized in 1993.1