A Brief Geopolitical tensions have long plagued the Middle East, with recent developments sparking concerns of a full-scale war. Various factors, including political unrest, economic challenges, and religious and ethnic conflicts, have contributed to increased regional tensions. The Middle East is indeed edging closer to a wider regional conflict, as noted by Julian Borger, the…
Introduction In the context of the Philippines’ historical struggle with maritime disputes and its evolving defense posture, the impending delivery of the India-Russia-made BrahMos missiles at a cost of US$375 million represents a significant milestone in the nation’s pursuit of enhanced maritime security. This acquisition, following a slight delay, underscores the Philippines’ determination to assert…
Introduction Amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes between China and the Philippines have raised concerns of potential conflict, the Philippines stands out as an economic stronghold. Despite China’s aggressive actions, including interference at the Second Thomas Shoal and clashes at sea. The Philippines has exhibited impressive economic resilience on the…
The South China Sea, a vital crossroads for global trade with an annual value approaching trillions, emerges as a geopolitical flashpoint where economic interests intersect with territorial disputes. This strategic waterway facilitates one-third of the world’s trade and the transit of millions of barrels of oil daily. Contested by nations including China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the…
A Brief In a groundbreaking turn of events, the 2024 Taiwanese presidential election has resulted in the victory of William Lai Ching-te, securing a historic third consecutive term for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Lai’s compelling win, commanding 40.1% of the vote, demonstrates a substantial mandate. The electoral landscape was dominated by the overarching theme…
A Brief In the chessboard of global geopolitics, Lee Kuan Yew, the strategic mind behind Singapore’s success, once envisioned China’s careful chess moves. He stressed the need for China to play a patient game, avoiding the mistakes of past powerhouses like Germany and Japan. “Keep your head down, smile, and aim for 40 or 50…
A Brief The Philippines, an archipelago comprising over 7,600 islands in Southeast Asia, is strategically located about 500 miles off the coast of Vietnam in the western Pacific Ocean. With Manila as the capital and Quezon City as the most populous city, forming part of the National Capital Region on Luzon, the country boasts a…
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…
