In the dimly lit war room of the Presidential Palace in Manila, the air was thick with tension. Outside, the city buzzed with its usual chaos, but inside, the weight of an imminent confrontation with a superpower loomed large. President Marcos stared at the map of the South China Sea, the blue waters marred by…
China and the Philippines share a history of complex interactions shaped by geography, trade, and politics. Centuries ago, these two nations engaged in vibrant trade along the South China Sea, with Chinese merchants frequenting Philippine shores. The tides of history shifted dramatically in the 20th century. Post-World War II, the Philippines emerged as a staunch…
In the chaos of war, even the mightiest weapons can become relics overnight. History offers no better example than World War II, when Japan’s once-dominant aircraft carriers were decimated, signaling the rise of a new era in naval warfare. Fast forward to today, and a similar transformation is taking place in the South China Sea,…
In the grand arena of global economics, two regions stand out for their undeniable influence: the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Both are formidable power blocs, yet their origins, trajectories, and current challenges could not be more different. While the EU represents a legacy of post-war unity and industrial…
In a world teetering on the edge of uncertainty, one question has become the linchpin of global stability: Will China invade Taiwan? With tensions escalating at a pace unseen in decades, East Asia has become the focal point of a potential crisis that could ripple across continents, destabilizing economies, upending alliances, and potentially igniting a…
The recent resupply mission by the Philippines, which took place from December 3-14, 2024, vividly captures the simmering tensions in the South China Sea. Delivering essential supplies and holiday care packages to soldiers stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal, the mission drew an immediate response from China. The Chinese coast guard…
In recent years, the Indo-Pacific has emerged as the most geopolitically charged region in the world, with the shifting power dynamics between the United States, China, and regional powers like the Philippines playing a central role in shaping global security. As tensions continue to rise over contested maritime territories in the South China Sea and…
The United States has outlined a strategic plan to enhance the readiness of its Navy in preparation for potential conflict with China by 2027, with the goal of deterring aggression and protecting national security interests. The plan, known as Project 33, is aligned with China’s military buildup and its stated goal of preparing for an…
The proposed US-funded port in Batanes, Philippines, mirrors strategic initiatives in other parts of the world, such as the US military presence in the Baltic states near Russia. In Eastern Europe, NATO allies have fortified their positions with bases, infrastructure, and joint exercises in countries like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, citing the need to counter…
The transfer of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China on July 1, 1997, marked the end of 156 years of British rule and the beginning of a new era for the region as a special administrative region (SAR) of China. This transition was governed by the “one country, two…
