Lost At Sea: Dominica’s Unique Foreign Policy Approach in the Face of International Adversity

This article explores the domestic and foreign policy issues  surrounding the island of Dominica, a small island state in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean. Seated in the path of hurricanes and in the shadow of the United States’ and Europe’s Global South influence, and neighboring more inviting destination islands, Dominica faces economic troubles in the realms of tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure. These concerns are reinforced by a constant stream of natural disasters—most notably that of Hurricane Maria and Tropical Storm Erika. The country has taken control of its development pathway through controversial legislative programs and partnerships, along with an ever-deepening cross-sector relationship with China. By leveraging its small state status in innovative ways, the island has aimed to flip its vulnerabilities into strengths, to varying levels of success on the governmental and individual levels.