As the Philippines confronts an increasingly uncertain world, its armed forces are undergoing a transformative overhaul to meet evolving security challenges. With breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural heritage, the nation is strategically positioned in Southeast Asia, making its military upgrades crucial. Significant modernization and training efforts are in progress across all branches: the Army…
“The Philippines and the U.S. have had a strong relationship with each other for a very long time now. We have a shared history. We have shared values, democracy, freedom, and we have been in all the wars together in modern history, the World War, Second World War, Cold War, Vietnam, Korea, now the war…
The South China Sea, a critical maritime region, has long been a nexus of geopolitical tension. Among the various contested territories within this region, Sabina Shoal stands out as a flashpoint in the enduring conflict between China and the Philippines. This seemingly inconspicuous atoll has garnered significant strategic importance, making it a focal point of…
The question of whether the Philippines claim Sabah isn’t just an old history lesson—it’s a gripping tale of intrigue and high-stakes politics that has unfolded over decades. Picture Sabah, a lush and resource-rich region on Borneo’s northern tip, caught in a whirlwind of historical disputes and modern ambitions. This is not just about who owns…
In the wake of transformative historical events, including Vietnam’s struggle for independence and Japan’s post-World War II reconstruction, both nations have carved unique paths to economic prosperity. Vietnam’s journey from the Đổi Mới reforms of the late 1980s to its current status as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world showcases its dynamic shift…
In the decades since its establishment on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok by the original five member countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—ASEAN has seen significant advancements in military modernization across its member states. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1984, followed by Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999. After…
The Paracel Islands, also known as the Xisha Islands in Chinese and the Hoàng Sa Archipelago in Vietnamese, are a disputed archipelago in the South China Sea. This group of around 130 tiny coral islands and reefs, categorized into the Crescent Group and the Amphitrite Group, covers a land area of approximately 7.75 square kilometers…
The recent warning from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the Philippines over the U.S. intermediate-range missile deployment has sent ripples across the international community. According to Wang, this move could fuel regional tensions and spark an arms race, putting the already strained China-Philippines relations at a crossroads. The US Missile Deployment: A Detailed Examination…
The Philippines’ foreign ministry has accused China of misrepresenting a recent arrangement that allows unimpeded resupply of Filipino troops stationed on a beached naval vessel in the South China Sea, escalating tensions in the disputed waters. The provisional agreement, reached earlier this month, followed a series of clashes at the Second Thomas Shoal. This deal…
China, once primarily an agrarian society, has experienced extraordinary economic growth since initiating reforms and opening its economy in 1978. With an average annual GDP growth rate exceeding 9%, China has lifted about 800 million people out of poverty. This economic boom is attributed to large-scale infrastructural developments, rapid industrialization, and a strategic focus on…
