Can a small archipelagic nation and a continental union truly reshape the balance of maritime power in the Indo-Pacific? That question defined the latest round of Philippines–European Union (EU) talks in Brussels, a meeting that blended diplomacy, law, and shared conviction into a single message: the rule of law at sea still matters. At the…
When China proposed creating a “marine nature reserve” at Scarborough Shoal, it sounded like an environmental initiative. But in Manila, alarm bells rang. Filipino defense officials, veterans of the South China Sea dispute, recognized the familiar pattern—one that began with vague promises and ended in military outposts. They had seen it before at Mischief Reef,…
The South China Sea, a flashpoint of power and pride, where overlapping claims and rising tensions have turned calm waters into one of the world’s most dangerous hotspots. For years, China has leaned on its sweeping “nine-dash line” , a claim already struck down by the Hague Tribunal in 2016, yet still enforced on the…
WASHINGTON – The Trade War Returns The United States has reignited major trade conflicts with its three largest trading partners after President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China took effect early Tuesday. The measures, which impose a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods and double existing duties on…
In a strategic move underscoring their deepening defense ties, Canada and the Philippines are finalizing a pivotal agreement to enhance joint military exercises. This development comes amid rising concerns over China’s assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in the disputed South China Sea. Canadian Ambassador David Hartman emphasized Canada’s commitment to challenging China’s “provocative…
To understand, why the Pacific Ocean is centre of geopolitical gravity in the 21st century, we’ll have to take a holistic look at how things evolved in the past and how they impacted the seas, the oceans and broader littoral geographies. Let us delve into the detail of it. The invention of the wheel around…
In recent years, tensions in the South China Sea have continued to escalate, particularly as China becomes more assertive in its territorial claims. The Philippines, a key player in this geopolitical flashpoint, has repeatedly clashed with China over contested waters. This situation raises an important question: in the event of a serious confrontation between the…
The British have long established a reputation as experts in discretion in a world where information flows more quickly than ever before and privacy appears to be more elusive than ever. Imagine the scene of a traditional British tea party: a setting where civil discourse is interspersed with hushed tones and discreet glances, and where…
The Philippines and Germany have committed to finalize a defense cooperation agreement this year, reinforcing their dedication to uphold the international rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, made this commitment during Pistorius’s visit to Manila, the first by a German defense minister, marking the…
Blockchain technology, first conceptualized by an anonymous entity known as Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008, has revolutionized the way we think about digital transactions and data security. Initially associated primarily with Bitcoin, blockchain has since evolved into a versatile technology underpinning a wide array of cryptocurrencies and decentralized applications. Over the past decade, its usage has…
