Republic of the Marshall Islands and United States Advance Security Cooperation at Working Level Meeting
The delegations reviewed action items previously identified through the bilateral JCM process, including efforts related to homeland defense, countering transnational crime, maritime security, and disaster management. The review allowed both governments to assess progress, identify unresolved requirements, and determine which organizations are responsible for the next steps.
“The working-level JCM is where we turn our shared priorities into coordinated action,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Andrew van der Linde, Joint Task Force-Micronesia director of operations. “It allows us to identify what is working, address gaps, and ensure our support is aligned with the priorities identified by our Marshallese partners.”
A major focus of the meeting was the RMI’s cybersecurity needs. RMI representatives outlined national priorities, existing legislation, capability gaps, and lessons learned from previous assistance. Cybersecurity specialists from across the U.S. government then outlined programs that could advance those priorities, including incident-response preparation, remediation assistance, protection of critical infrastructure, and maritime transportation systems, and potential collaboration to translate legal frameworks into operational plans.
Chargé d'affaires at U.S. Embassy Majuro Gregory D’Alesandro thanked participants for their commitment to the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and RMI.
He opened the JCM underscoring that, “The Deputy Secretary has been direct that the security and defense landscape facing our nations has evolved considerably, and that growing gray zone activity across the Freely Associated States means the challenges we face today can no longer be confined to traditional military domains. Economic security, critical infrastructure protection, maritime security, law enforcement cooperation, engagement with international organizations, and cybersecurity – the focus of today’s discussions – can all carry direct and, at times significant implications for security and defense.”
For the RMI, the effort is intended to produce assistance matched to locally identified needs, with clearer timelines and points of contact. For the U.S., the process improves coordination among military, diplomatic, law-enforcement and technical organizations supporting the RMI and helps ensure resources are directed toward agreed priorities.
“We are in the very infancy of our cybersecurity establishment, having the cybersecurity act along with a few other laws put in place just last year.” said Christopher deBrum, director of national security for the RMI. “This working level meeting has given us an important opportunity to take stock of our ongoing security cooperation, review outstanding matters, identify practical areas where we can strengthen our work together.”
“The relationship between the Marshall Islands and the United States is unique and longstanding; grounded in the Compact of Free Association and reinforced by our shared commitment to security, stability, and prosperity of our two countries and the broader Pacific region,” he continued. “The issues we discussed today, from water and maritime security, transnational crime, cybersecurity, disaster preparedness, and capacity building demonstrate that security today extends well beyond traditional defense. For the Marshall Islands, strengthening the capacity of our institutions and front line agencies is an important part of strengthening our national security.”
The Sept. 16 meeting followed the executive JCM held in Guam in April 2026.
The JCM is the cornerstone bilateral forum established under Title III of the Compact of Free Association for continuing dialogue on security and defense matters between the RMI and the U.S. The working-level meeting supports decisions made during senior-level JCMs by tracking action items, coordinating implementation and preparing unresolved matters for further consideration.
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