Welcome to The Pacific Report. Today, we delve into a recent escalation of tensions in the South China Sea. On June 20, 2024, the Philippines accused China’s Coast Guard of launching a brutal assault with bladed weapons, marking a significant shift in the dynamics of the ongoing dispute. This incident has the potential to draw…
The Philippines has intensified its patrols in the disputed South China Sea ahead of the implementation of a new Chinese regulation that empowers the Chinese coast guard to detain foreigners accused of trespassing. The regulation, effective from Saturday, marks a further escalation in tensions in this fiercely contested waterway, one of the world’s most economically…
Welcome to The Pacific Report. Today, we delve into the intensifying situation in the South China Sea, a region that has become a critical area for geopolitical conflict. On June 17, a collision occurred between Chinese and Philippine vessels near the Second Thomas Shoal. This incident has ignited a verbal dispute between Beijing and Manila,…
On June 9, 2024, the 50-year-old petrodollar agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United States quietly expired. For half a century, this pact had ensured that oil sales were conducted exclusively in US dollars, bolstering the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency and cementing its dominance in global trade. The potential end of this…
The South China Sea, a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean, has long been a hotbed of geopolitical tension. It is surrounded by several nations, including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and China, each with varying claims over its resources. The recent introduction of new coastguard rules by China has escalated these tensions,…
The Spratly Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South China Sea, stretch off the coasts of Malaysia, southern Vietnam, and the Philippines. This archipelago comprises of islands, islets, cays, and over 100 reefs, sometimes forming sunken ancient atolls. Despite covering an area of over 425,000 square kilo meters, the islands have less than 2 square…
In a story emblematic of China’s strategy for territorial expansion, a frog placed in lukewarm water remains unaware as the water is slowly heated until it is boiled alive. This “boiling frog strategy” illustrates a cautious and incremental approach to extending influence and power, one that avoids significant backlash from the international community. Admiral John…
In a rare visit to Asia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila to rally support for a global peace summit on the conflict in Ukraine. Zelenskyy, who had just spoken at the Shangri-La defence forum in Singapore, made an unexpected appearance in Manila under tight security. He was greeted…
In a stark reminder of the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the Philippine military reported on Tuesday that the Chinese coast guard seized one of four food packages dropped by a plane for Filipino navy personnel stationed at a contested outpost. General Romeo Brawner disclosed that the Chinese personnel might have suspected…
Welcome to The Pacific Report. In today’s episode, we’re sailing into the heart of the South China Sea, a region rich in resources and rife with geopolitical tensions. As the renowned China military expert Oriana Skylar Mastro insightfully put it, ‘Even against this backdrop, China’s official position is that it remains committed to a peaceful…
