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The Battle for Palao: A Tiny Island at the Crossroads of Global Power
Introduction: A Diplomatic Beacon in the Pacific
Palao, a minuscule island nation with a population of less than 20,000, is one of Taiwan's last remaining diplomatic allies. Situated in the Western Pacific Ocean, Palao's modest land area of 466 square kilometers is even smaller than an average Taiwanese suburb. Despite its size, Palao holds significant strategic and political value amid the rising tensions between China, Taiwan, and the United States.