The three archipelagoes, spanning the Pacific between Hawaii and the Philippines, were U.S.-administered trust territories for decades after World War II. As independent states, they have unique ties with Washington under the Compacts of Free Association (COFAs), and are known as the Freely Associated States. Under the COFAs, the three nations give the U.S. military operating rights in their land, waters and airspace, and the United States provides them economic support in 20-year agreements that were renewed last week….
