Author: Don McLain Gill
The Impact of the US Presidential Election on the Philippines and Indo-Pacific Region Just a month before the US presidential election, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have nearly exhausted their campaign capacity, even as the results remain uncertain. The election matters for the international community, given the ambiguity over Washington’s long-term influence in the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines presents a dynamic case within the US-led “hub-and-spokes” network. Over the past eight years, Manila’s approach towards its sole treaty ally has fluctuated from neglect and ambivalence to robust and defining strategic cooperation. Today, the US alliance is centre stage in the Philippines’…
Japan’s annual defense white paper highlights the country’s strategies to address contemporary geopolitical challenges, with China’s expansionist activities in the western Pacific identified as a major concern. Japan intends to enhance its defense capabilities by increasing defense spending, acquiring advanced missile systems, and building vessels equipped with Aegis systems for missile defense. The paper emphasizes the importance of collaborating with Indo-Pacific partners, such as the Philippines, to bolster regional security. Recent incidents of clashes in the South China Sea have underscored the need for stronger security ties between Japan and the Philippines. Japan’s proactive approach to security assistance and military…