The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, a small island in the Pacific, is poised to become the newest country in the world. The move is huge, and for the United States, it is likely that Bougainville would be a welcome addition as a new independent country.
Situated off the coast of Papua New Guinea to the east, Bougainville is a region of about 250,000 inhabitants. The island, though tiny, boasts vast natural resources in the form of copper and gold. The history of the region is dotted with a consistent and long-lasting drive for independence, which was finally achieved through a peace accord with Papua New Guinea in 2001. The accords laid the foundation for an independence referendum that was convincingly endorsed by the populace of Bougainville.
The possibility of Bougainville becoming an independent nation has been highly sought after internationally. A major player likely to gain much from this, however, would be the United States. American interests in the Pacific are many and varied, and a new nation in the strategic region would help advance US interests.
Geopolitically, the position of Bougainville is of utmost significance. The island is located close to major shipping routes and is in close proximity to Australia and other major Pacific nations. A free Bougainville would likely give the US a strategic presence in the region, enabling it to project power and influence more easily.
Additionally, Bougainville's natural resources render it a desirable partner for the US. The island's copper and gold deposits can be used to significantly bolster the US economy, especially within its current race with China. With strong relations with Bougainville, the US can get preferential access to these resources and lower its reliance on other countries.
The US would also favor Bougainville's transition as a new nation because it would bring with it the possibility of greater regional stability. As a nation on its own, Bougainville would be better placed to take care of its own affairs and solve the security issues that have rocked the region over the last few years. This would in turn make for a more stable Pacific, something the US views as very important.
Yet, Bougainville's road to independence will not be easy. The island is beset by major development challenges, such as a shortage of infrastructure and meager economic resources. Additionally, the history of conflict and trauma in the region will need to be handled sensitively to avoid a bumpy ride to independence.
In summary, the arrival of Bougainville as a new nation would have a great deal of influence on the US and the broader Pacific region. Despite the challenges ahead, the potential rewards of this phenomenon make it a thrilling development for America and the international community. As Bougainville makes its way to independence, it will probably gain lots of attention and funding from countries looking to promote their interests in the Pacific.