The Philippines has recently expressed grave concern regarding the reported harassment of its fishing vessels by two Chinese coastguard ships within the contentious South China Sea. This incident took place within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, specifically at the Iroquois Reef, on April 4th. This event doesn’t come as a surprise, given the history of…
Introduction Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the South China Sea, the US and the Philippines have initiated massive joint military exercises, Balikatan, involving thousands of military personnel over a three-week period. This exercise showcases the Philippines’ advanced military systems, including missile frigates, fighter jets, support aircraft, and Black Hawk helicopters. Notably, the naval…
North Korea’s recent power test for a “super-large warhead” in a cruise missile and the launch of a new anti-aircraft missile have raised concerns and drawn international attention. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the developments, highlighting North Korea’s continued focus on advancing its military capabilities. North Korea’s missile tests serve as a…
The recent visit of China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, to Indonesia represents a significant milestone in the diplomatic relationship between these two influential Asia-Pacific nations. The visit pinpoints a trajectory of enhanced cooperation and strategic alignment, signaling a deeper commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Strategic Convergence: Indonesia and China, recognizing their importance in regional affairs,…
On April 21, 2024, South Korea voiced strong disapproval over Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit and offering at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, a site that Beijing and Seoul view as a symbol of Japan’s historical military aggression. The shrine commemorates around 2.5 million war dead, including 14 Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals by…
In 5th century BCE, the Persian Empire, led by King Xerxes I, threatened the Greek city-states. Athens and Sparta, despite their rivalry, united against this common enemy echoing the sentiment, “We stand together, or we fall alone.” Spartan King Leonidas I and Athenian statesman Themistocles led the resistance, marking the start of the Greco-Persian Wars….
The Philippines and the United States are gearing up for their most ambitious joint military exercise to date due to escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea. This year’s Balikatan drills, set to commence from April 22 to May 10, will see more than 16,000 soldiers conducting joint naval exercises beyond the Philippines’…
Great powers—whether ancient empires, colonial juggernauts, or modern nation-states—have long recognized the strategic value of military outposts. These bastions serve multiple purposes: projecting force, safeguarding trade routes, asserting dominance, and maintaining a watchful eye on rivals. From the Roman legions stationed along Hadrian’s Wall to the British naval bases dotting the Indian Ocean, history is…
Background History The Philippines, nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, finds itself at a crossroads of geopolitical significance, particularly in the context of the South China Sea disputes. With a history shaped by colonial legacies and strategic interests, the country has long grappled with the challenge of safeguarding its territorial integrity while navigating the…
Background: A Growing Crisis in Vietnam’s Financial Sector The recent sentencing of Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, to death for her involvement in a massive $12.46 billion fraud case has brought to light the deep-rooted corruption plaguing Vietnam’s financial sector. As public outrage mounts over the scale of the fraud,…
