In what could mark a seismic shift in U.S. force posture across the Indo-Pacific, American lawmakers are pushing for the construction of a major ammunition manufacturing and storage plant at the former U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay — a site once considered the crown jewel of Washington’s military footprint in Southeast Asia. If the plan…
The sight of MV-22 Ospreys soaring above the northernmost frontier of the Philippines marked a symbolic and strategic milestone on June 1, 2025, as U.S. Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364 (VMM-364), under Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, extracted their counterparts from the 3rd Littoral Combat Team, 3rd Littoral Regiment, 3rd…
Two nations. One land. And a question that refuses to die, was Sabah merely leased… or permanently surrendered? For more than a century, that single question has haunted Southeast Asia, fueling one of its most sensitive and explosive territorial disputes. Today, the guns are silent, but the legal battles rage on. Heirs of the once-powerful…
June 2025, In the sweltering heat of the South China Sea, a Philippine resupply vessel is rammed by a Chinese Coast Guard ship near Second Thomas Shoal. A 3.5-foot hole is torn through its side, forcing an emergency retreat and injuring multiple crew members. This isn’t a one-off event, it’s the latest in a string…
Grounded Chinese Ship Sparks Alarms: What’s Really Happening in the South China Sea? On a tense Saturday morning, June 7, 2025, a Chinese vessel unexpectedly ran aground near a Philippine-occupied island in the fiercely contested South China Sea. But this was no ordinary maritime mishap. For many observers, it signaled something far more deliberate, an…
In a dramatic display of tightening alliances and growing urgency, the Philippines and the United States concluded their seventh joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea just days ago, on June 5, 2025. This followed closely on the heels of a major U.S. proposal offering Manila a fleet of F-16 Block 70/72 fighters valued…
Southeast Asia is rewriting the rules of travel. With the Philippines dropping visa requirements for Indian tourists starting June 8, a tourism tsunami is sweeping across the region. From the beaches of Bali to the temples of Bangkok, countries like India, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines are unleashing a powerhouse mix of visa-free entry,…
Water cannons today, missiles tomorrow? When Chinese coast guard ships blasted Philippine vessels with water cannons near the Second Thomas Shoal, it wasn’t just a clash over coral reefs, it was a warning shot in a high-stakes game of power. Now, the United States is answering. In a bold move that’s rattling Beijing and reshaping…
Philippines Defense Secretary Casts Doubt on F-16 Purchase At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31, 2025, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro cast significant doubt on the long-speculated purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the United States. His remarks, reported on June 2–3, came in stark contrast to earlier momentum surrounding the deal. Teodoro…
Philippines Weighs Acquisition of U.S.-Made Typhon Missile System Amid Rising Regional Tensions MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is actively considering the acquisition of the U.S.-developed Typhon missile system, a highly advanced, mobile, land-based platform capable of launching intermediate-range precision-guided missiles—including the long-range Tomahawk cruise missile—as part of its ongoing defense modernization efforts. According to…
