U.S.-Philippines alliance

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pledged to bolster Manila's capacity to push back against Beijing's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Manila seems set to remain a priority partner for Washington, despite the Trump administration's radical foreign policy changes.

Can the Philippines play a role in convening regional discussions aimed at upholding a rules-based order?

The most crucial question remains: How to deter China?

There are early signs that the country's relations with the U.S. will survive the ongoing ructions in Washington, D.C.

Trump’s regional policy is likely to focus on U.S. military engagement to counter China. The Philippines thus may become a linchpin in U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

The Typhon intermediate-range missile system has been present in the country since joint military drills in April 2024.

Donald Trump's impending return to the White House has stirred up questions about the future of Washington's support for the Philippines.

The pact could allow the Philippines to access more sophisticated weapons systems from its long-standing security ally.

The Philippine military said three Chinese navy ships “tailed” the four-nation maneuvers off the western coast of the Philippines.

The announcement caps off two years that have seen a considerable strategic convergence between the two long-standing allies.

This year’s Balikatan exercises focus on territorial defense in two of the most sensitive fault lines in the China-U.S. rivalry: the disputed South China Sea and the Bashi Channel.

This year's exercise, the 39th iteration since 1991, will be the first to take place outside the Philippines territorial waters.

The road to the historic meeting was paved by the growing security cooperation between and among the three countries. 

Despite being repeatedly let down by its sole treaty ally, the Philippines has persisted in preserving its territorial claims and sovereign rights in the hotly-contested body of water.

The Philippines and the U.S. are on solid legal ground, but what is lawful is not always wise.

Views from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Manila’s latest National Security Policy does not reflect the catastrophic implications of a cross-strait conflict for the country's security.

Marcos is overhauling Philippine strategy, and the strategic shift is as significant as any in the region.

Last week's water cannon incident underscores the hard limits of engagement with China – and the need for the Philippines’ to build up its military capability.

Manila is embracing its alliance with the United States and building closer ties to Japan and Australia to become a strong, equal partner that can uphold a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

The strengthening Philippines-U.S. alliance should remain focused on the South China Sea – and not overreach on Taiwan. 

The 2+2 meeting of defense and foreign ministers coincided with the opening of the largest-ever iteration of the annual Balikatan military exercise.

This is the first such meeting to take place since late in the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.