Domination and Resistance illuminates the dual subject matters of superpower domination and indigenous resistance within the imperative Pacific through the chilly struggle, with a compelling ancient exam of the connection among the us and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. For determination makers in Washington, the Marshall Islands represented a strategic prize seized from Japan close to the top of global warfare II. within the postwar interval, below the auspices of a United international locations Trusteeship contract, the us strengthened its keep watch over of the Marshall Islands and saved the Soviet Union and different chilly conflict opponents out of this Pacific quarter. the U.S. extensively utilized the chance to check an enormous array of robust nuclear bombs and missiles within the Marshalls, at the same time it performed study at the results of human publicity to radioactive fallout.

Although those army assessments and human experiments strengthened the united states technique of deterrence, in addition they resulted in the displacement of numerous atoll groups, severe health and wellbeing implications for the Marshallese, and frequent ecological degradation. faced with those troubling stipulations, the Marshall Islanders applied quite a few political and felony tactics—petitions, proceedings, demonstrations, and negotiations—to draw American and worldwide consciousness to their plight. in keeping with those indigenous acts of resistance, the USA bolstered its strategic pursuits within the Marshalls yet made a few concessions to the islanders. lower than the Compact of unfastened organization (COFA) and comparable agreements, the americans tightened regulate over the Kwajalein Missile diversity whereas granting the Marshallese higher political autonomy, extra monetary suggestions, and a mechanism to settle nuclear claims.

Martha Smith-Norris argues that regardless of COFA's implementation in 1986 and Washington's pivot towards the Asia-Pacific sector within the post–Cold battle period, the USA has but to supply sufficient reimbursement to the Republic of the Marshall Islands for the vast wellbeing and fitness and environmental damages brought on by the USA checking out programs.