ARTICLES

31 May 2023

A Strategic Reset?: The Philippines-United States Alliance under President Marcos Jr

Aries A. Arugay|Ian Storey

The Philippines-United States alliance has been reinvigorated since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was elected president in May 2022. Since Marcos took office, the two countries have increased the tempo of high-level interactions and military engagements. However, an increasingly influential pro-China lobby composed of national and local politicians, pundits and media are acting in concert to undermine this revitalisation.

Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations

3 May 2023

Why China Should Learn To Live With U.S.-Philippine EDCA

Julio S. Amador III|Deryk Baladjay

The Chinese view that the Philippines’ and the United States’ Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites are offensive in nature is false. The Philippines and China should take a wider perspective and work on the totality of their bilateral relationship.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine-U.S. Relations

19 Apr 2023

Why China is Vexed About the U.S.-Philippine EDCA

Ma Bo

China takes a dim view of Manila’s decision to grant the United States access to four military bases. While the two allies have framed the arrangement as bolstering deterrence vis-à-vis China, such a move is unlikely to deter Beijing.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations

17 Apr 2023

From Duterte’s “Pivot to China” to Marcos Jr.’s “Rebalance to the U.S.”?

Aaron Jed Rabena

Marcos Jr. appears to be setting the Philippines in a different direction where foreign policy is concerned but, like his predecessors, faces the challenge of navigating Sino-U.S. rivalry alongside Sino-Philippine maritime tensions in the South China Sea.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations

6 Apr 2023

The Curious Case of Cagayan: Localisation of U.S.-China Rivalry in the Philippines

Aries A. Arugay

The locus of superpower rivalry in the Indo-Pacific has gone down to the subnational level. The United States and China are engaged in a power competition for influence within local governments in the Philippines.

Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations

20 Mar 2023

You Can’t Put the Genie Back in the Bottle: Marcos Jr.’s Defence Cooperation Policy

Justin Baquisal

The Marcos Jr. administration’s defence cooperation policy that hews closer to the U.S. is facing domestic criticism, even from his sister.

Defence Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations

17 Jan 2023

Bound to Comply: the Philippines’ One-China Policy and Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S.

Aaron Jed Rabena

In the event of hostilities in the Taiwan Strait, Manila’s defense treaty with the United States will give it little room to manoeuvre.

China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations Taiwan

31 Oct 2022

The US-Philippine Alliance: Shared Interests and Subtle Nuances

Mico A Galang

The US National Security Strategy (NSS) identifies some shared interests between Washington and Manila. However, there are nuances in the strategic calculus of the allies when it comes to two key potential flashpoints in the region: Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Defence Philippine-U.S. Relations South China Sea

17 Dec 2021

Mind the Gaps, Fill the Needs: A Strategic Outlook for the Philippine-US Alliance

Julio S. Amador III

The Philippines begrudgingly notes the disparity of treatment across US alliances in Asia as well as Washington’s shift to enhancing engagements with non-treaty partners. The Philippines must step up to play its part and articulate its key interests better.

Maritime Security Philippine Politics Philippine-U.S. Relations Security South China Sea

23 Sep 2021

After 70 Years, It’s Time to Modernise the US-Philippines Alliance

Ian Storey

The US-Philippines alliance is back on track. In an era where China has increasingly challenged Manila’s maritime rights in the South China Sea, however, Washington needs to contemplate an upgrade to their mutual defence treaty.

Philippine-U.S. Relations South China Sea U.S. Foreign Policy