Palau's Surangel Whipps eyes U.S. defense system after China missile test

Palau's reelected President Surangel Whipps said Tuesday he may ask the United States for a Patriot missile defense system, citing a recent Chinese missile test as a "direct threat" to the Pacific island nation.Under the Compact of Free Association, an agreement allowing U.S. funding and military access to Palau, Whipps, 56, said the United States is responsible for defending his country of around 18,000 people."We have also the power to request additional (defense support) if we feel there's a threat," Whipps told Kyodo News, hours before winning an election that gave him another four year…READ FULL ARTICLE