A Blow to China’s Belt and Road Initiative by the Philippines The Philippines’ latest decision to terminate significant Belt and Road Initiative, infrastructure projects underscores a substantial transformation in its relationship with China and this signifies a decline in China’s influence in the region. This abrupt shift marks a departure from the previous era of…
Introduction In the context of deterring a potential Chinese attack, the Philippines has emerged as a significant regional player in 2023, as it claims the 32nd spot among 145 nations in the Global Firepower Index. Strengthening its defense posture, the Philippines has forged bilateral defense agreements with key nations, solidifying its position as a formidable…
A Glimpse of Japan Philippine Defense Pact Negotiations In a significant development, the leaders of Japan and the Philippines have agreed to initiate negotiations for a crucial defense pact that would enable their military forces to conduct joint exercises within each other’s territories. This strategic move aims to fortify their alliance in response to the…
The South China Sea’s new ten-Dash Line, transformed from the nine-dash line, which was first delineated on a Chinese map in 1947, has emerged as a central and contentious element in global geopolitical dialogues. In July 2016, an international tribunal, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, delivered a landmark ruling, declaring that China’s…
Significance and Dynamics of the Indo-Pacific Region The term “Indo-Pacific” has gained increasing prominence in global foreign policy discussions, underscoring the region’s strategic importance. Its roots trace back to the early 20th century when German geopolitical scholar Karl Haushofer introduced the concept, followed by Indian historian Kalidas Nag’s use of the term in the 1940s….
On October 22, 2023, the Philippines and China engaged in a blame game following two separate collisions in the disputed South China Sea. The incidents occurred near the Second Thomas Shoal in the hotly contested Spratly Islands, where China often deploys vessels to assert its territorial claims. In accordance with the declaration of the Philippine…
Militarization of the South China Sea The South China Sea has drawn the attention of global powers for decades. Given that this region lies at the heart of crucial global trade routes, this attention is unsurprising. Seventy to eighty percent of global trade activities take place via waterways. Of this, sixty percent of maritime shipments…
In October, Manila will host a yearly joint military exercise with the US. The exercises are set to take place at the beginning of October at Luzon. Lt. Ielto, the spokesperson for the Philippine military, informed the press. The exercises will encompass the core principles of anti-submarine, anti-surface, anti-air, and electronic warfare. Naval fleets from…
Australia, a vast continent situated to the south of Southeast Asia, serves as both a prominent player in the Indo-Pacific region and a bridge to the wider world. Known for its rich history, unique biodiversity, and economic might, Australia’s relevance to Southeast Asia is paramount. Geographically, Australia is a nexus between the Indian and Pacific…
Sixty percent of the world population inhabits the Indo-Pacific region, and all the essential trade routes to the countries of the region have to pass through the South China Sea. Serving as the jugular vein for many of the world’s largest economies, the South China Sea has managed to garner the attention of major powers…
