Tensions between China and the Philippines flared once again following a maritime confrontation near the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, further intensifying a long-standing territorial dispute. Both nations offered conflicting accounts of the incident, highlighting the fragile state of relations in one of the world’s most strategic waterways. The Philippine government accused…
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 Philippine military recently took action to monitor a Russian submarine, the Ufa, which passed through the South China Sea off the western coast of the country. According to a security official, the submarine identified itself after the Philippine Navy inquired via radio. The Russian vessel explained that it was heading back to Vladivostok, a…
Israel’s status as an intelligence powerhouse is no secret. For decades, the country’s intelligence services have consistently demonstrated capabilities that place it among the most formidable in the world. From covert operations to technological innovations, Israel’s intelligence prowess spans multiple dimensions, rooted in both historical necessity and the unique geopolitical environment it operates in. In…
Essential Weapons for the Philippines: Boosting Defense in the South China Sea As tensions rise in the South China Sea, the Philippines faces a pressing question: should its military focus on expensive traditional assets like submarines and missiles, or pivot to more cost-effective, modern warfare technologies? With the staggering costs associated with state-of-the-art military hardware,…
What Task Force-Ayungin is Really About? Task Force-Ayungin is a joint U.S.-Philippine initiative designed to strengthen intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and enhance maritime domain awareness in the South China Sea. Named after the contested Second Thomas Shoal, or Ayungin Shoal in Filipino, this task force focuses on improving coordination and interoperability between the…
Imagine a bustling market square, vibrant and full of life, where diverse voices come together to shape the community’s future. This square represents ASEAN, a coalition of ten nations rich in potential yet often constrained by the weight of dynastic politics. Just as some European democracies have successfully navigated similar challenges—think of countries like Germany…
The Philippine Navy launched its first locally assembled fast attack interdiction craft-missile (FAIC-M), the BRP Albert Majini (PG-909), at the Naval Shipyard in Cavite City. This vessel launch is part of the Philippines’ Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program, which focuses on advancing domestic defense capabilities, particularly in shipbuilding. According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA),…
To understand, why the Pacific Ocean is centre of geopolitical gravity in the 21st century, we’ll have to take a holistic look at how things evolved in the past and how they impacted the seas, the oceans and broader littoral geographies. Let us delve into the detail of it. The invention of the wheel around…
Philippine President Enacts New Laws to Strengthen National Protection Imagine a bustling market in Manila, where merchants bargain over the price of fresh fish and exotic fruits. Amid the gossip and color, a news broadcast blares from a nearby stall. The headline? China has just formalized maritime baselines around Scarborough Shoal, a move that sends…
