A little background on the Marshall Islands:
Politically, the Marshall Islands is a presidential republic in free association with the United States, with the US providing defence, funding grants, and some limited access to social services. In 1979, the Government of the Marshall Islands was officially established and the country became self-governing. In 1986, the Compact of Free Association with the United States entered into force, granting the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) its sovereignty.
