U.S.-Philippines alliance

The 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty became the most important element in the Philippine-U.S. alliance. How can it remain relevant in a changing Indo-Pacific?

The president has formally retracted his earlier letter announcing the termination of the Philippines-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement.

Both nations have a strong incentive to maintain the pact, but next year's election could complicate matters.

China may have missed a golden opportunity to see the VFA end, but Beijing is still determined to exploit gaps between the U.S. and its ally.

Despite his best efforts, the Philippines’ president hasn’t been able to cut ties between the U.S. and the Philippine defense establishment.

While this is an important temporary reprieve for the alliance, it leaves some broader strategic challenges unresolved.

Will the reversal last?

With the unwinding of the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the utility of Washington’s oldest alliance in the Indo-Pacific hangs in the balance.

Where do American alliances in Asia stand as the Trump administration looks to wrap up its third year in power?

The time is ripe for both sides to modernize their longstanding partnership.

The exercise highlights how the US-Philippines alliance soldiers on, even amid major tensions.