In an unprecedented move, the Philippines Air Force has embarked on its first overseas deployment in over six decades. This historic event sees the Philippines joining forces with U.S. and Australian fighter jets for combat practice in northern Australia amidst escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea. This strategic maneuver underscores the Philippines’…
I. Introduction The South China Sea has been a hotbed of territorial disputes for years, with several countries including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei claiming overlapping parts of the maritime region. The area is rich in natural resources and is a vital commercial waterway, making it a strategic point of contention. One such…
Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong passed close to the northern Philippines en route to military drills in the Pacific, Taiwan’s defense minister reported on Wednesday. The maneuver came as tensions between Beijing and Manila over territorial disputes in the South China Sea continue to escalate. Taiwan, vigilant about Chinese movements due to frequent military activities around…
The recent submission by the Philippines to the United Nations (UN) to formally recognize the extent of its undersea continental shelf has sparked controversy. Malaysia has opposed this submission, stating that it is projected from the baselines of Sabah. This opposition was formally communicated to UN Secretary General António Guterres on June 27, through a…
As the sun rises over Ho Chi Minh City, the streets are already alive with activity. In a vast, bustling factory, hundreds of workers skillfully piece together electronics, garments, and machinery that will soon be shipped around the world. This scene is strikingly similar to what one might have witnessed in Shenzhen during the early…
In 2012, the United Nations recognized Benham Rise, located off the east coast of the Philippines, as part of the country’s extended continental shelf. This recognition was uncontested by China. Fast forward to today, the Philippines has submitted a new claim to the United Nations for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China…
Japan is engaging in a significant strategic endeavor: constructing artificial islands. This island nation, long shaped by the tectonic forces at the convergent plate boundary, is now using human ingenuity to enhance its geopolitical and economic standing. The move is not just about expanding territory but also about fortifying its position in a region rife…
The Philippines’ complex and often turbulent relationship with the United States, particularly regarding the South China Sea dispute, has long been a subject of intense scrutiny and debate. The recent incidents, including a clash with Chinese maritime forces that resulted in injuries to Filipino soldiers, have once again brought the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between…
In the early 20th century, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance marked a significant shift in East Asian geopolitics, reflecting a strategic partnership designed to counterbalance regional threats and maintain stability. Fast forward to the present day, a similar realignment is unfolding in Southeast Asia as senior defense and foreign affairs officials from Japan and the Philippines prepare…
The Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin Shoal, is a small but strategically significant reef in the South China Sea. It is one of the many contested maritime features in this geopolitically volatile region, claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The dispute over this shoal is emblematic of the broader tensions that…
