Second Thomas Shoal Emerges as South China Sea Flashpoint
A paradigm shift is unfolding at the Second Thomas Shoal, one where Washington is now taking a much more assertive approach in safeguarding its ally’s territorial rights in the South China Sea.
The Case for Joint Patrols in the South China Sea
Amid failing diplomacy, it’s time for Manila to pursue ‘diplomacy by other means’ in the South China Sea. Joint patrols are a good start.
Minilateralism Can Optimize the Philippines’ Middle Power Rise
Manila must seize the moment as a middle power, and minilateralism can help it do so while maintaining a central role for ASEAN.
Confidential Funds Controversy Erupts in Philippines
The recent saga concerning the allocation of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) speaks to the importance of transparency and accountability going forward.
What Biden Forgets in Skipping the ASEAN Summit
The Biden administration’s decision to skip the latest ASEAN Summit is an obvious ‘lose-lose’ proposition: it harms the credibility of the bloc, and it makes the oft-stated US commitment to Asia-Pacific appear far less credible.
Maritime Chessboard: The Geopolitical Dynamics of the South China Sea
The South China Sea dispute has the potential to unleash disastrous instability, yet this is not an issue that is beyond the reach of proactive confidence-building measures.
How Europe’s Colonial Legacy is Fueling Tensions in South China Sea
Colonial land disputes continue to resonate in the geopolitics of the South China Sea and, by extension, the fate of key Internet infrastructure that will one day traverse its waters.
The Philippines Mulls a Visiting Forces Agreement with Japan
Japan and the Philippines have drawn closer together in recent years, a process driven by complementary security interests. Could a VFA be next?
Delayed Elections and the Bangsamoro Peace Process
The first elections in the Bangsamoro autonomous region have been pushed back to 2025, giving its transitional government more time to establish democratic institutions and demobilize rebels.
Global Forecast (10-2-2021)
Duterte bows out of politics, Europe’s energy crisis worsens, and the Biden administration prepares to unveil its China policy.