The United States has announced a major overhaul of its military command in Japan to deepen coordination with Japanese forces amid growing security challenges posed by China. The revamp was revealed following security talks in Tokyo between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and their Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Yoko…
“China-Philippines Most Recent ‘Arrangement’ Has Nothing to Address the Root Cause of Tensions in the South China Sea” The Philippine government has announced that China and the Philippines have reached an agreement to ease tensions over the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. This agreement, negotiated by Chinese and Filipino diplomats in…
zIn a firm assertion of the Philippines’ territorial rights, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared that the country would not yield or waver in its stance on the West Philippine Sea. During his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, 2024, Marcos emphasized the importance of maintaining the nation’s sovereignty and expressed…
The Philippines and China have reached a significant agreement aimed at mitigating tensions in the fiercely contested Second Thomas Shoal, a hotspot in the broader South China Sea dispute. The Philippine Foreign Ministry announced that both nations have established a provisional arrangement to ensure the resupply of essential goods and the rotation of personnel to…
In global geopolitics, Latin America has emerged as a region of profound historical depth and contemporary relevance. From the bustling markets of Brazil to the expansive landscapes of Patagonia, this continent has long been a stage for the ambitions of nations and empires. Over the past two decades, China has increasingly shaped this narrative, transforming…
In an unprecedented move, the Philippines Air Force has embarked on its first overseas deployment in over six decades. This historic event sees the Philippines joining forces with U.S. and Australian fighter jets for combat practice in northern Australia amidst escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea. This strategic maneuver underscores the Philippines’…
I. Introduction The South China Sea has been a hotbed of territorial disputes for years, with several countries including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei claiming overlapping parts of the maritime region. The area is rich in natural resources and is a vital commercial waterway, making it a strategic point of contention. One such…
In 2012, the United Nations recognized Benham Rise, located off the east coast of the Philippines, as part of the country’s extended continental shelf. This recognition was uncontested by China. Fast forward to today, the Philippines has submitted a new claim to the United Nations for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China…
The Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin Shoal, is a small but strategically significant reef in the South China Sea. It is one of the many contested maritime features in this geopolitically volatile region, claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The dispute over this shoal is emblematic of the broader tensions that…
In the wake of a violent clash between the Philippine Navy and the China Coast Guard, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asserted that the Philippines will not be intimidated, though it has no intention of starting a war. The altercation, which occurred off Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, highlighted the escalating tensions…
