More: Philippines
Trump’s tariffs threats against the Global South, ASEAN and the Philippines
In early April, the Philippines responded with “guarded optimism” to US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, saying higher rates placed on its neighbors could...
The South China Sea: An Arena of Enduring Contestation
Foreign and security policy trajectories of Southeast Asian nations continue to revolve around a delicate balancing act—maintaining strategic autonomy while navigating the growing assertiveness...
Waves of Change: The Philippines, Domestic Politics, and the China Challenge
In May 2025, at the oath-taking ceremony of newly promoted Philippine Coast Guard Officers (PCG), Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his...
Philippines as a warring nation
Last week, Philippine and US Marines demonstrated “lethal firepower in two separate live fire exercises” the Philippine Marine Corps portrayed as “defense partnership.” It...
Between the Tides: Traditional Fishing Rights and the Philippines–China Maritime Tensions
As geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea (SCS) deepen, international headlines largely focus on legal or sovereignty claims, naval deployment, and freedom of...
Duterte’s rendition, PH political turmoil and the ICC’s dilemma
In the Senate’s much-anticipated Duterte detention hearing on Thursday, Senator Imee Marcos, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, interviewed the key cabinet members of...
The Drug Crisis Duterte Inherited
On March 11, 2025, former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the Philippine National Police and Interpol on the basis of an International...
Turbulent Waters: Power Struggles and Fragile Alliances in the South China Sea
The South China Sea is more than just a stretch of water. It is a geopolitical chessboard where nations compete for dominance, economic advantage,...
Understanding the Lack of Legal Action Against China’s South China Sea Assertions
The South China Sea is a strategic body of water bordering Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. As one...
China is Winning, the World is Losing: U.S. is Struggling to Counter China’s Asymmetric Tactics
Recent years have seen a noticeable ramp-up of China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea. While China previously held a far more passive stance...