COMMENTARIES

21 May 2021

Philippine-US Cooperation on Whitsun Reef: A “Win” for the Biden Team in Southeast Asia?

Robert Sutter

Southeast Asian views of the United States declined during the Trump administration, and persisted into the Biden administration early on in the year. But Washington’s sustained support for Manila amid the latter’s recent confrontation with China in the South China Sea has helped to offset negative perceptions of Uncle Sam in the region.

19 Feb 2021

The US-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement: The Duterte Punchbag That Will Probably Survive the Blows

Ian Storey

A long-standing Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States will probably survive despite threats from President Rodrigo Duterte to see the end of it.

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

1 Feb 2021

The Philippine-US Alliance: Keeping Things on an Even Keel

Renato Cruz De Castro

Given the challenges posed by an assertive China and a changing geopolitical environment, Manila and Washington must work hard to sustain their decades-old alliance.

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

International Human Rights Day in Manila

17 Dec 2020

A Duterte-Democrat President Redux?

Malcolm Cook

A Biden Administration will see strong headwinds as it pertains to Washington’s relations with Manila.

Human Rights Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations

4 Jun 2020

Visiting Forces Agreement: Uncle Sam Still Welcome for Another Year

Ian Storey

The Philippines has suspended the planned termination of the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States. But the alliance is not out of the woods yet.

Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations Security

10 Mar 2020

Duterte’s ‘Independent’ Foreign Policy: Independence from Criticism

Malcolm Cook

The Duterte administration has stressed the independent nature of its foreign policy. Apparently, this has been equated to freedom from foreign criticism.

Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations Security

17 Feb 2020

Manila’s VFA Termination: A Win for China and Russia

Ian Storey

Manila’s decision to withdraw from the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States will benefit China and Russia. Russia’s attempt to cozy up to the Philippines, however, might not be wholly welcomed by Beijing.

Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations Security

13 Jul 2016

Duterte’s Aquino Legacies

Malcolm Cook

The ruling by the Arbitration Tribunal on the South China Sea and the U.S.-Philippine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement are two foreign policy legacies left by the Aquino administration. They will be stumbling blocks to the Duterte administration if it seeks to revise its foreign policy with China and the US.

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