The disease dilemma: neoclassical realism and Palau's border policy governance challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic

With the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1994, small island developing states are challenged to combat external threats in the marine environment, such as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU). Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen states across the world enact strong policies, including selective travel bans and border closures, as policy responses to limit virus transmission. Pacific island states enacted some of the most stringent border measures and were largely successful in stopping the import of COVID-19 into their jurisdictions. This paper examines one particular incident that occurred in December 2020 where the state of Palau, supported by the United States, acted to apprehend a Chinese illegal foreign fishing vessel and its crew, in spite of the state's self-enforced border closure to protect their population from the coronavirus. A neoclassical realism lens is employed to analyze the circumstances and influences which shaped this policy action. This analysis highlights the challenges facing island states in marine governance and enforcement amplified by COVID-19 policy considerations. In examining this case, potential policy drivers are identified, while the impact of this particular case in the context of Palau foreign policy and larger US-China relations is also discussed.