[theold]

The United States, through separate agreements with each of the three—known as the Compacts of Free Association (COFA)—are granted defence and security rights and responsibilities over this zone, that is about the size of the continental United States. 

The U.S. is also granted strategic denial, meaning it can deny military access to others.

https://sundayguardianlive.com/investiga...e_vignette