Editing Palau (section)

==Politics and government==
{{Main|Politics of Palau}}
{{stack|[[File:Capitol, Melekeok, Palau.jpg|thumb|[[Capitol of Palau]], the seat of government]]}}

Palau is a [[Representative democracy|democratic]] [[republic]]. The [[President of Palau]] is both [[head of state]] and [[head of government]]. Executive power is exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the [[Palau National Congress]]. The [[Judiciary of Palau|judiciary]] is independent of the executive and the legislature. Palau adopted a constitution in 1981.

The Compact of Free Association between the United States and Palau<ref>[http://palau.usembassy.gov/rop_cofa.pdf Compact of Free Association Between the Government of the United States of America and the government of Palau] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006012927/http://palau.usembassy.gov/rop_cofa.pdf |date=6 October 2011 }}, preamble</ref> sets forth the free and voluntary association of their governments. It primarily focuses on the issues of government, economic, security, and defense relations.<ref>[http://palau.usembassy.gov/rop_cofa.pdf Compact of Free Association Between the Government of the United States of America and the government of Palau] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006012927/http://palau.usembassy.gov/rop_cofa.pdf |date=6 October 2011 }}, Table of Contents</ref> Palau has no independent military, relying on the United States for its defense. Under the compact, the [[American military]] was granted access to the islands for 50 years. The [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] role is minimal, limited to a handful of Navy [[Seabee (US Navy)|Seabees]] (construction engineers).{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} The [[United States Coast Guard|U.S. Coast Guard]] patrols in national waters. The government has agreed to host a large [[United States Air Force]] high-frequency radar station in Palau, an [[Over-the-horizon radar|over-the-horizon-radar]] system costing well over $100&nbsp;million, which is expected to be operational in 2026.<ref name="id-20220505">{{cite news |last=Marrow |first=Michael |date=5 May 2022 |title=Air Force eyes new radar installation in Palau |website=Inside Defense |url=https://insidedefense.com/insider/air-force-eyes-new-radar-installation-palau |url-status=live |access-date=4 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104095630/https://insidedefense.com/insider/air-force-eyes-new-radar-installation-palau |archive-date=4 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="td-20221230">{{cite news |last1=Helfrich |first1=Emma |last2=Rogoway |first2=Tyler |date=30 December 2022 |title=U.S. Building Advanced Over-The-Horizon Radar On Palau |website=The Drive |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/u-s-building-advanced-over-the-horizon-radar-on-palau |url-status=live |access-date=4 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104095621/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/u-s-building-advanced-over-the-horizon-radar-on-palau |archive-date=4 January 2023}}</ref>

In November 2020, [[Surangel Whipps Jr.|Surangel Whipps Jr]] was elected as the new [[President of Palau]] to succeed President [[Tommy Remengesau]].<ref>{{cite web |date=6 November 2020 |title=Surangel Whipps Jr to be Palau's new president |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/429990/surangel-whipps-jr-to-be-palau-s-new-president |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311195108/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/429990/surangel-whipps-jr-to-be-palau-s-new-president |archive-date=11 March 2023 |access-date=24 August 2021 |work=RNZ.co.nz}}</ref>

===Foreign relations===
As a sovereign state, Palau conducts [[Foreign relations of Palau|its own foreign relations]].<ref name="gao-08-732_p7"/> Since independence, Palau has established diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including many of its Pacific neighbors, like Micronesia and the Philippines. On 29 November 1994, the [[United Nations Security Council]] passed [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 963|Resolution 963]] recommending Palau's admission to the United Nations. The [[United Nations General Assembly]] approved admission for Palau pursuant to Resolution 49/63 on 15 December 1994.<ref>[https://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/49/63 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 49/63, ''Admission of the Republic of Palau to Membership in the United Nations'', adopted 15 December 1994] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525213614/http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/49/63 |date=25 May 2017 }}. United Nations. Retrieved 12 September 2015.</ref> Palau has since joined several other international organizations. In September 2006, Palau hosted the first Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit. Its president has made official visits to other Pacific countries, including Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_000553.html|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|date=15 December 2014|title=The President of the Republic of Palau to Visit Japan|location=Tokyo|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311195239/https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_000553.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Taiwan has provided financial support for Palau to maintain a presence at international fora, including the [[United Nations]] and [[United Nations Climate Change Conference]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Judah |first=Jacob |date=2024-06-02 |title=A Pacific Island With Ties to Taiwan Was Hacked. Was It Political? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/02/world/asia/palau-taiwan-china-hack.html |access-date=2024-06-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

[[File:Palasia Hotel Palau.JPG|thumb|left|Flags of countries who have foreign relations with Palau, [[Palasia Hotel]]]]The United States maintains a diplomatic delegation and an embassy in Palau, but most aspects of the countries' relationship have to do with compact-funded projects, which are the responsibility of the U.S. [[Department of the Interior]]'s [[Office of Insular Affairs]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 October 2007|title=Responsibilities and Authorities|url=http://www.doi.gov/oia/Firstpginfo/oia_responsibilities.html|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=24 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024234958/http://www.doi.gov/oia/Firstpginfo/oia_responsibilities.html|url-status=dead|publisher = USDOI Office of Insular Affairs}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=July 2023}} For example, as part of this compact, Palau was granted [[ZIP Code]]s 96939 and 96940, along with regular [[United States Postal Service|U.S. Mail]] delivery. In international politics, Palau often votes in tandem with the United States on [[United Nations General Assembly]] resolutions.<ref>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/82642.pdf General Assembly – Overall Votes – Comparison with U.S. vote] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408175034/https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/82642.pdf |date=8 April 2021 }} lists Palau as in the country with the third high coincidence of votes. Palau has always been in the top three.</ref>

Palau has maintained close ties with Japan, which has funded infrastructure projects, including the [[Koror–Babeldaob Bridge]]. In 2015, Emperor [[Akihito]] and [[Empress Michiko]] visited [[Peleliu]] to honor the 70th anniversary of World War II.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/10/world/asia/ahead-of-world-war-ii-anniversary-questions-linger-over-stance-of-japans-premier.html|title=Ahead of World War II Anniversary, Questions Linger Over Stance of Japan's Premier|last=Fackler|first=Martin|date=9 April 2015|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=16 February 2020|archive-date=7 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107020247/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/10/world/asia/ahead-of-world-war-ii-anniversary-questions-linger-over-stance-of-japans-premier.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1981, Palau voted for the world's first nuclear-free constitution. This constitution banned the use, storage, and disposal of [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear]], [[Chemical weapon|toxic chemical]], gas, and [[biological weapon]]s without first being approved by a 75 percent majority in a referendum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paclii.org/pw/constitution.html|title=The Constitution of the Republic of Palau|date=2 April 1979|publisher=The Government of Palau|access-date=1 November 2009|archive-date=11 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111071200/http://www.paclii.org/pw/constitution.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This ban delayed Palau's transition to independence because while negotiating the compact, the U.S. insisted on the option to operate [[Nuclear marine propulsion|nuclear-propelled vessels]] and store nuclear weapons within the territory,<ref>{{cite web | title=Issues Associated. With Palau's Transition to Self-Government | url=http://archive.gao.gov/d26t7/139356.pdf | publisher=[[Government Accountability Office]] | date=July 1989 | access-date=1 November 2009 | archive-date=6 September 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906175745/http://archive.gao.gov/d26t7/139356.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref> prompting campaigns for independence.<ref>{{citation|last=Morei|first=Cita|title=Pacific women speak out for independence and denuclearisation|year=1998|editor-last=de Ishtar|editor-first=Zohl|contribution=Planting the mustard seed of world peace|location=Christchurch, Aotearoa/New Zealand Annandale, New South Wales, Australia|publisher=Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (Aotearoa) Disarmament and Security Centre (Aotearoa) Pacific Connections|isbn=9780473056667|author-link=Cita Morei|editor-link=Zohl de Ishtar}}</ref> In 2017, Palau signed the United Nations [[Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=16 September 2019 |archive-date=30 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230171334/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |url-status=live }}</ref>

Palau is a member of the [[Nauru Agreement]] for the Management of Fisheries.<ref name="radioaustralia">{{cite news |title=Pacific nations extend bans on tuna fishing |url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2010-10-05/pacific-nations-extend-bans-on-tuna-fishing/175350 |work=[[Radio Australia]] |publisher=[[East West Center]] |date=5 October 2010 |access-date=6 October 2010 |archive-date=12 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112123938/https://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2010-10-05/pacific-nations-extend-bans-on-tuna-fishing/175350 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Philippines, a neighboring ally of Palau to the west has expressed its intent to back Palau if ever it wishes to join [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]].<ref name="mb.com.ph">{{Cite web|url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/16/ph-palau-agree-to-enhance-ties/|title=PH, Palau agree to enhance ties|website=Manila Bulletin|date=16 February 2018|access-date=20 March 2018|archive-date=22 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222040232/https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/16/ph-palau-agree-to-enhance-ties/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In June 2009, Palau announced that it would [[Uyghur detainees at Guantanamo Bay|accept up to seventeen]] [[Uyghurs]] who had previously been detained by the American military at [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp|Guantanamo Bay]],<ref name="Ctv2009-06-10">
{{Cite news
| url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/pacific-state-palau-to-take-uighur-detainees-1.406458
| title=Pacific state Palau to take Uighur detainees
| date=10 June 2009
| publisher=[[CTV News]]
| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101044630/http://www.ctvnews.ca/pacific-state-palau-to-take-uighur-detainees-1.406458
| archive-date=1 January 2013
| url-status=live
| access-date=11 June 2009
}}</ref> with some American compensation for the cost of their upkeep.<ref name="Abc2009-06-10">
{{Cite news
| url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/06/us-and-palau-wrangling-over-gitmo-transfer-details-including.html
| title=US and Palau wrangling over Gitmo transfer details, including $$
| date=10 June 2009
| author=Kirit Radia
| work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714001923/http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/06/us-and-palau-wrangling-over-gitmo-transfer-details-including.html
| url-status=dead
| archive-date=14 July 2009
}}</ref> Only one of the Uyghurs initially agreed to resettlement,<ref name="Rnzi2009-06-30">{{Cite news
| url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=47454
| title=Palau Government still not sure if Uighurs are coming
| date=30 June 2009
| publisher=[[Radio New Zealand International]]
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904093538/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=47454
| url-status=dead
| archive-date=4 September 2011
| access-date=1 July 2009
}}</ref> but by the end of October, six of the seventeen had been transferred to Palau.<ref name="Afp2009-10-31">
{{Cite news
| url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j256OdOnArVNzoV0oVLD3PRaY-bQ
| title=Six Guantanamo Uighurs arrive in Palau: US
| agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]
| date=31 October 2009
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524233036/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j256OdOnArVNzoV0oVLD3PRaY-bQ
| url-status=dead
| archive-date=24 May 2012
}}</ref> An aid agreement with the United States, finalized in January 2010, was reported to be unrelated to the Uyghur agreement.<ref>
{{Cite news
| url=http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201001/2804280.htm?desktop
| title=Palau receives aid boost from US
| website=australianetworknews.com
| date=30 January 2010
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511144914/http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201001/2804280.htm?desktop
| archive-date=11 May 2011
| url-status=dead
| quote=The president insisted there was no link to the island's hosting of six inmates from Guantanamo Bay. Palau had earlier rejected a 156 million dollar offer and the settlement came after the island nation agreed to resettle six Muslim Uighurs who had been held for more than seven years at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay. The six arrived in Palau in November. But Johnson said the two issues were not related.
}}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
{{Main|States of Palau}}
[[File:States of Palau.jpg|thumb|The sixteen states of Palau]]
[[File:Palau-CIA WFB Map.png|thumb|Republic of Palau]]

Palau is divided into sixteen states (until 1984 called municipalities). These are listed below with their areas (in square kilometers) and 2015 and 2020 Census populations:

{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! State
! Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! Population 2015 Census
! Population 2020 Census
! Notes
|-
| [[File:Flag of Kayangel.svg|27px]] [[Kayangel]]
| style="text-align:right;"|1.7
| style="text-align:right;"|54
| style="text-align:right;"|41
| Comprises the islands of Kayangel Atoll
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ngarchelong.svg|27px]] [[Ngarchelong]]
| style="text-align:right;"|11.2
| style="text-align:right;"|316
| style="text-align:right;"|384
| At the northern end of Babeldaob Island
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ngaraard State.svg|27px]] [[Ngaraard]]
| style="text-align:right;"|34
| style="text-align:right;"|413
| style="text-align:right;"|396
| At the northern end of Babeldaob Island, just south of Ngarchelong State
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ngardmau State.png|27px]] [[Ngardmau]]
| style="text-align:right;"|34
| style="text-align:right;"|185
| style="text-align:right;"|238
| On the western side of Babeldaob Island
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ngeremlengui State, Palau.svg|27px]] [[Ngaremlengui]]
| style="text-align:right;"|68
| style="text-align:right;"|350
| style="text-align:right;"|349
| On the western side of Babeldaob Island
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ngatpang.svg|27px]] [[Ngatpang]]
| style="text-align:right;"|33
| style="text-align:right;"|282
| style="text-align:right;"|289
| On the western side of Babeldaob Island
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ngiwal State.png|27px]] [[Ngiwal]]
| style="text-align:right;"|17
| style="text-align:right;"|282
| style="text-align:right;"|312
| On the eastern side of Babeldaob Island
|-
| [[File:Flag of Melekeok.svg|27px]] [[Melekeok]]
| style="text-align:right;"|26
| style="text-align:right;"|277
| style="text-align:right;"|318
| On the eastern side of Babeldaob Island
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ngchesar State.png|27px]] [[Ngchesar]]
| style="text-align:right;"|43
| style="text-align:right;"|291
| style="text-align:right;"|319
| On the eastern side of Babeldaob Island
|-
| [[File:Flag of Aimeliik.svg|27px]] [[Aimeliik]]
| style="text-align:right;"|44
| style="text-align:right;"|334
| style="text-align:right;"|363
| In the southwestern part of Babeldaob Island
|-
| [[File:Flag of Airai State.png|27px]] [[Airai]]
| style="text-align:right;"|59
| style="text-align:right;"|2,455
| style="text-align:right;"|2,529
| In the southeastern part of Babeldaob Island
|-
| [[File:Flag of Koror State.png|27px]] [[Koror]]
| style="text-align:right;"|60.52
| style="text-align:right;"|11,444
| style="text-align:right;"|11,199
| Comprises Koror, [[Ngerekebesang Island|Ngerekebesang]], and [[Malakal Island]]s, plus the [[Rock Islands]] (Chelbacheb) and [[Eil Malk]] to the southwest
|-
| [[File:Flag of Peleliu.svg|27px]] [[Peleliu]]
| style="text-align:right;"|22.3
| style="text-align:right;"|484
| style="text-align:right;"|470
| Comprises Peleliu Island and some islets to its north, notably Ngercheu
|-
| [[File:Flag of Angaur State.svg|27px]] [[Angaur]]
| style="text-align:right;"|8.06
| style="text-align:right;"|119
| style="text-align:right;"|114
| Angaur Island, 12&nbsp;km south of Peleliu
|-
| [[File:Flag of Sonsorol.svg|27px]] [[Sonsorol]]
| style="text-align:right;"|3.1
| style="text-align:right;"|40
| style="text-align:right;"|53
| Comprises Sonsorol, [[Fana Island|Fanna]], Pulo Anna, and [[Merir]] Islands
|-
| [[File:Flag of Hatohobei.svg|27px]] [[Hatohobei]]
| style="text-align:right;"|0.9
| style="text-align:right;"|25
| style="text-align:right;"|39
| Comprises [[Tobi (island)|Tobi Island]] and (uninhabited) Helen Reef
|}

Historically, Palau's [[Rock Islands]] have been part of the State of Koror.

===Maritime law enforcement===
[[File:Palau Maritime Police vessel.jpg|thumb|The ''[[Euatel]]'', ''[[Kabekl M’tal|Kabekl M'tal]]'' and ''[[PPS Bul|Bul]]'' provide littoral fishery protection.<ref name=IslandTimes2017-04-25/>]]

Palau's [[Law enforcement in Palau|Division of Marine Law Enforcement]] patrols the nation's {{convert|230000|sqmi|km2|order=flip|abbr=off|sp=us}} [[exclusive economic zone]]. They operate two long-range patrol boats, the ''[[Kedam]]'' and the ''[[PSS Remeliik II|Remeliik II]]'', to hunt for poachers and unlicensed fishermen.<ref name=PacificNote2017-12-22/><ref name=PalauPresident2017-05-08/><ref name=PostGuam2016-03-03/> Smaller boats are used for littoral operations.<ref name=IslandTimes2017-04-25/> They are based on Koror.<ref>{{Citation
 | url = https://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/magazine/palau-vs-the-poachers.html
 | last = Urbina
 | first = Ian
 | title = Palau vs the Poachers
 | newspaper = [[The New York Times Magazine]]
 | pages = 40–49
 | date = 21 February 2016
 | quote = Nearly {{convert|9000|mi|km|disp=sqbr}} away, the Remeliik, a police patrol ship from the tiny island nation Palau, was pursuing a 10-man Taiwanese pirate ship, the Shin Jyi Chyuu 33, through Palauan waters.
 | access-date = 23 April 2018
 | archive-date = 20 April 2018
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180420122937/https://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/02/21/magazine/palau-vs-the-poachers.html
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref>

=== Political economy ===
In the view of [[Islands Society]] president Michael Walsh, Palau is a key example of the successes of modern state-building in the Indo-Pacific region. It has successfully transitioned peacefully from colonial rule to full admission to the United Nations. Palau has maintained strong foreign relations with its neighbors in its region of Oceania. There have also been pushes for Palau to have observer status to the ASEAN as a demonstration of its growing influence in the region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rethinking Palau's Place in the Free and Open Indo-Pacific| url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/rethinking-palaus-place-in-the-free-and-open-indo-pacific/|access-date=4 October 2021|website=thediplomat.com|archive-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004161510/https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/rethinking-palaus-place-in-the-free-and-open-indo-pacific/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Palau's peaceful transition to fully autonomous sovereign state is not without debate.

Palau is hugely reliant on international aid, as demonstrated by President Surangel Whipps Jr address to the UN General Assembly in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 September 2021|title=Palau's president urges the UN to include Taiwan – Taipei Times|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2021/09/23/2003764847|access-date=4 October 2021|website=Taipei Times|archive-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004161510/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2021/09/23/2003764847|url-status=live}}</ref> American influence has led some to contest that there are challenges to its sovereignty with its reliance on the American military under the Compact of Free Association, although not officially designated a de facto [[protectorate]] or otherwise. American influence has resulted in huge changes to Palau's society, economy, and political processes, and as such Palau may not yet be seen as a fully independent state or a fully realized success of modern state-building.<ref>{{Cite thesis|last=Mita|first=Takashi|date=4 October 2021|title=Political futures of small-scale island-states in Pacific islands: Global dynamics and state-making in the Republic of Palau|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/304894523|type=PhD dissertation|publisher=University of Hawaiʻi|id={{ProQuest|304894523}}|via=Proquest|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=26 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326105528/https://www.proquest.com/docview/304894523|url-status=live}}</ref>