Cobra Gold

Through combined exercises and enduring engagements, the United States is building "deterrence through assurance."

This year's iteration of the annual exercise will feature more than 6,000 U.S. personnel, the largest number in a decade.

Thailand's 2014 coup led to the erosion of relations with the U.S., but the balance of power is tilting back in Washington's favor.

The engagement spotlighted the trend of growing multilateralization that has occurred within the drills over time.

The debut of the F-35B at this year’s edition of the annual drill signals a shift in U.S. military presence in the region.

The drills will be closely watched for an indication of U.S.-Thailand alliance dynamics and the state of regional collaboration amid wider developments.

Progress on the agreement put the defense aspect of the relationship back in the headlines.

Development spotlights ongoing defense cooperation between the two allies.

The interaction will spotlight the state of the alliance and the challenges both sides face in managing it this year and beyond.

Beyond managing challenges, both sides can seize opportunities to reinforce an important relationship amid broader strategic trends.

A recent interaction put the focus on the defense side of the relationship between the two Southeast Asian states.

The holding of a biennial naval drill once again spotlights developments underway in the defense relationship between the two sides.