On April 11, 2024, the United States made a calculated move that likely unsettled Beijing. The US deployed a potent land-attack missile system, the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) launcher, to the Philippines. This is the first potential deployment of missiles with such a range since the expiration of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019. While…
The Philippines’ historical choice of the United States as a strategic partner is deeply rooted in pivotal moments that have shaped their enduring relationship. From the annals of history, the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898 marked a turning point, leading to the collapse of Spanish colonial rule and the subsequent 48-year period of American…
A Brief Escalating tensions in the South China Sea, fueled by China’s assertive actions and territorial disputes, particularly with the Philippines, underscore the region’s geopolitical complexity. Recent events, such as the presence of Chinese vessels near Whitsun Reef, intensify concerns, prompting diplomatic responses and joint military patrols. The risk of escalation, challenges in dispersing vessels,…
A Brief Indonesia, a nation boasting a population of more than 270 million, is a sprawling archipelago comprising over 17,500 islands. With an impressive economic size exceeding one trillion dollars, it stands proudly as a member of the exclusive G20 and holds the chair among the ASEAN nation states. The country’s vast size, youthful demographic,…
As of September 29, 2023, the Philippines has surpassed four million tourist arrivals for the year, inching close to the annual target of 4.8 million, as reported by the Department of Tourism. The figures, almost double the arrivals recorded during the same period in 2022, include 91.58% foreign visitors and 8.42% overseas Filipinos. Leading the…
In 2023, the South China Sea witnessed escalating tensions involving China, the Philippines, and the neighboring nations involving maritime disputes and territorial sovereignty. The Philippines and the United States, through strategic actions, diplomatic engagements, and joint military exercises, maintained regional balance, while a historic visit by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the Philippines along…
Historical Matrix of Taiwan and the Philippines: A Geopolitical Prelude The prospects and challenges offered by geographical locations are impossible to deny or even ignore. The blessings and hardships grappled by nations and countries due to geography compel nations around the world to have different strategies and goals to be achieved and national dreams to…
Bifurcation of Philippines Defense Forces The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) serves because the collective defense entity, encompassing the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy, including the Philippine Marine Corps. Nestled in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Metro Manila, the AFP upholds the motto “Protecting the People, Securing the State.” Under the command…
Introduction Established in 1989 in Australia, APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, has become an important forum for countries in the region to work together on economic matters. With its headquarter in Singapore, APEC is one of the oldest and most influential groups in the Asia-Pacific. Its goal is to promote balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative, and…
An Overview In the geopolitical theater of the East and South China Sea, a chronicle of escalating tensions and geopolitical complexities is unfolding, shaped by historical disputes, military posturing, and the specter of a rising China’s military might. From the early clashes in 1988 to the contemporary challenges in 2023, the maritime disputes have evolved….
