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☆ Trump picks Dr. Oz to lead massive Medicare, Medicaid agency CMS
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz — celebrity TV host and former U.S. Senate candidate — as Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator. Oz previously hosted "The Dr. Oz Show," a syndicated daytime television program for more than a dozen years. "America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again," Trump said in a statement Tuesday. Dr. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake. "He will also cut waste and fraud within our Country's most expensive Government Agency, which is a third of our Nation's Healthcare spend, and a quarter of our entire National Budget."

Persons: Mehmet Oz, Donald Trump, —, Trump, Oz, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Sen, John Fetterman, Dr, Chiquita Brooks, LaSure Organizations: Republican U.S, U.S, Senate, Medicare, CMS, Children's Health Insurance, Health, Human Services Department, Republican, Healthcare, Agency Locations: Rockledge , Pennsylvania, U.S, Pennsylvania, America

☆ Trump's first term avoided a fight in the South China Sea. It's only getting harder.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-13 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementIn his first term, Donald Trump ramped up military actions to counter China in the South China Sea. South China Sea observers expect continuity with the Biden administration, which tried to ramp up diplomatic efforts and strengthen US alliances and security partnerships. Chinese Coast Guard holding knives and machetes as they approach Philippine troops in the disputed South China Sea on June 17, 2024. AdvertisementThough Trump hasn't outlined a specific South China Sea plan, he could pursue his broader foreign policy mantra of "peace through strength." "Unrestrained US militarization is precisely what drives Beijing's insecurity and will continue to exacerbate tensions in the South China Sea," Marston said.

Persons: Donald Trump ramped, Donald Trump, Trump, Hunter Marston, Trump hasn't, Biden, Gregory Poling, Joe Biden, Marston, Sari Arho Havrén, Chip Somodevilla, Zeno Leoni, Leoni Organizations: Australian National University, China, Southeast Asia, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Trump, Coast Guard, Armed Forces, AP, CBS, Royal United Services, Ukraine, King's College London's Defense Studies Department, Rand Corporation, Biden's National Security Locations: China, South China, Philippines, Asia, Pacific, Philippine, Europe, South Korea, Palm Beach, South, East Asia

☆ China is closing a South China Sea surveillance gap with a new radar made to spot stealth aircraft, satellite images suggest
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-02 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Satellite images appear to show a SIAR system on Triton Island in the South China Sea. China previously built a SIAR system on Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands, further south in the South China Sea and west of the Philippines. "This is an iteration on a long-term Chinese strategy to dominate the sensor space in the South China Sea," he said. AdvertisementLast fall, the Pentagon documented growth in China's intelligence-gathering capabilities in the South China Sea, especially at the Spratlys. China's new SIAR system on Triton Island helps grow its reconnaissance and surveillance network in the South China Sea.

Persons: —, Chatham House's John Pollack, Damien Symon, Maxar, Chatham, Gregory Poling, Michael Dahm, Dahm, Aaron Haro Gonzalez Organizations: Service, Business, Chatham House, Triton, Southeast Asia Program, Asia Maritime, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Pentagon, Aerospace, China Studies, Mitchell Institute, US, Communication, US Air Force Locations: China, South China, South, Chatham, Spratly, Philippines, Hainan, Beijing, Aaron Haro Gonzalez China

☆ Efforts by the US to counter China in the South China Sea could backfire
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-12 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The US has played a key role in countering China in the South China Sea. They "want a Goldilocks situation in the South China Sea — not too hot, not too cold," he added. A China Coast Guard ship, at right, sails past the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Cape Engaño on August 26, 2024. AdvertisementASEAN held its annual summit in Laos this week, in part to discuss territorial tensions in the South China Sea. A Philippine Coast Guard vessel and a Chinese Coast Guard vessel during an incident in the South China Sea on August 19, 2024.

Persons: —, Bill Hayton, Antony Blinken, Hunter Marston, Omar Zaghloul, Bush, Marston, George W, Obama, Trump, Biden, It's, Martson, Gregory B, Poling, Chatham House's, Samuel Paparo, Hayton, Sabina, REUTERS Poling, Mutual Defense Treaty, of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Organizations: US, Service, Chatham, South China, China Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard, BRP, ROSA, Getty, ASEAN, Southeast, Australian National University, Coral Bell School of Asia, Pacific Affairs, Anadolu Agency, Center for Strategic, Studies, Asia Program, Transparency Initiative, Pacific Command, US National Bureau of Economic Research, coastguard, Coast Guard, Chinese Coast Guard, REUTERS, Mutual Defense, CBS, of National Defense Locations: China, South China, Philippines, South, Asia, Chatham House's Asia, BRP Cape Engaño, AFP, Laos, Filipino, United States, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Brunei, Pacific, Chatham House's Hayton, Philippine, Taiwan, Hong Kong, West Philippine, Weibo, Handout, Poling, Ukraine

☆ China and Philippines already at odds over South China Sea deal to ease Second Thomas Shoal tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The dilapidated BRP Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy is anchored near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea. Beijing claims “indisputable sovereignty” over almost all of the 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea, and most of the islands and sandbars within it, including many features that are hundreds of miles from mainland China. Under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, the Philippines has taken increasingly assertive steps to protect its claim to shoals in the South China Sea, leading to several confrontations off the Philippine islands. The US is not a claimant to the South China Sea, but says the waters are crucial to its national interest of guaranteeing free passage through seas worldwide. A close up view taken on March 29, 2014 of the BRP Sierra Madre beached near the Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Shoal, Ren’ai Jiao, ”, Mao Ning, pushback, Ritchie, Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr, Marcos, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Thomas Shoal, Erik de Castro, Gregory Poling, “, ” Derek Grossman Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, BRP Sierra Madre, Foreign Ministry, The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, BRP, Philippine Navy, coastguard, US Navy, Aspen Security, US National, Reuters, Transparency Initiative, RAND Corporation Locations: Hong Kong, South, Manila, Beijing, Philippine, Spratly, Philippines, China, Palawan, Madre, South China, Second, The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, The Hague, Scarborough, BRP Sierra Madre, Washington, United States, Sierra Madre, BRP Sierra, Asia

☆ The Chinese Base That Isn’t There
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-14 | by ( Agnes Chang | Hannah Beech | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

Security gate Chinese-funded buildup CAMBODIA Chinese warship CAMBODIA CAMBODIA Dry dock and other repair facilities Before After China insists it is not building a naval base in Cambodia. CHINA Ream, CambodiaThe Chinese Base That Isn’t There New facilities and the months-long presence of Chinese warships show Beijing’s growing global influence. In 2020, something curious happened at Cambodia’s Ream military base, on the Gulf of Thailand. The Chinese military presence near one of the world’s most vital sea lanes raises fundamental questions about Beijing’s ambitions. “The Ream military base is Cambodia’s, not the military base of any country,” Mey Dina, the commander of the base, told The New York Times.

Persons: CHINA, —, ”, Jan, John, “ We’re, Lloyd J, Austin III, ” Mey Dina, Mey Dina, Xi Jinping, dredgers, Ream, Gregory B, Poling, ‘ Ream, Xi, Hun Sen, Mr, Hun Sen’s, Hun Manet Organizations: U.S . Defense Department, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University, Agence France, Navy, Planet Labs, Ream, Pentagon, New York Times, China’s, China’s Djibouti Naval, Basketball, Djibouti ETHIOPIA Perimeter, NAM Ream, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Cambodian, Congressional Research Service, White, AMERICA Ports, SOUTH AMERICA SRI LANKA, China, China ASIA EUROPE CHINA AFRICA Djibouti Ream SRI LANKA, United States Military Academy Locations: CAMBODIA CAMBODIA, China, Cambodia, CHINA Ream, Thailand, Ream, South China, American, Cambodian, U.S, People’s Republic, China’s, Djibouti, Horn of Africa, China’s Djibouti, YEMEN Djibouti, Djibouti ETHIOPIA, THAILAND, Cambodia Malacca, Africa, Asia, Southeast Asia, Djibouti Ream Africa, ASIA EUROPE, China CHINA AFRICA Djibouti, AUSTRALIA, China ASIA EUROPE CHINA AFRICA Djibouti, United States, Spratlys

☆ Eyeing China, the Philippines wants to buy its first attack submarine
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-06 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewAmid rising tensions with China, the Philippines is planning to buy its first submarine. AdvertisementChina and its neighbors have been at loggerheads for the past decade, after Beijing claimed sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including islands and resource-rich waters. AdvertisementBut that leaves the question of how readily the Philippines Navy can operate a submarine. Chinese Coast Guard holding knives and machetes as they approach Philippine troops in the disputed South China Sea on June 17, 2024. Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP, FileA single submarine would do little to change the power imbalance between the Philippines and China.

Persons: —, Greg Poling, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Thomas Shoal, Poling, Rodrigo Duterte, You've, Mark Manantan, Manantan, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Business, Philippine Navy, Washington -, Strategic, International Studies, Diesel, Philippines Navy, Malaysia, Forum, Islamic, Philippine Communist Party, Coast Guard, Armed Forces, AP, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: China, Philippines, Philippine, South China, Asia, Washington, loggerheads, Beijing, Vietnam, Malaysia, Sierra Madre, American, France, Spain, South Korea, Italy, Indonesia, Hawaii, Mindanao, Manila, Asian, Forbes

☆ Russia-linked hacking group suspected of carrying out cyberattack on Texas water facility, cybersecurity firm says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —A hacking group with ties to the Russian government is suspected of carrying out a cyberattack in January that caused a tank at a Texas water facility to overflow, experts from US cybersecurity firm Mandiant said Wednesday. Muleshoe officials replaced the hacked software system and took other steps to secure the network, Sanchez said. “Regulations have not required this low-hanging fruit to be addressed,” Serino told CNN. “I’ve never experienced this before but … we’re aware that those threats are out there,” Poling told CNN by phone. “The haphazardness is part of their pathological emphasis on psychological impact,” Dan Black, a Mandiant analyst, told CNN.

Persons: Mandiant, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, Ramon Sanchez, Sanchez, ”, Gus Serino, ” Serino, ” Anne Neuberger, ” The, Harris, Neuberger, Buster Poling, Mike Cypert, Poling, “ I’ve, ” Poling, Nick Conger, Sandworm, ” Dan Black Organizations: CNN, FBI, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, White, ” The Biden, Hale Center, Russian Embassy, State of, GRU, “ Locations: Texas, US, Muleshoe, Pennsylvania, Iran, United States, Russian, Ukraine, Lockney’s, Hale, Washington ,, State of Texas

☆ Nikki Haley super PAC enters election year with just $3 million, adding to woes
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley visits a polling place as voters cast their votes in the New Hampshire presidential primary election in Hampton, New Hampshire, U.S., January 23, 2024. The relatively small sum raises new questions about whether Haley can finance a viable presidential primary campaign over the coming months. The super PAC entered the reporting period in July with around $17 million, but finished with a paltry $3.5 million war chest. Ken Griffin, the CEO of Citadel, gave $5 million to the super PAC in December, according to the FEC records. It was unclear, however, if the $5 million Griffin revealed late in January was the same $5 million the Haley PAC reported in December.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Haley, Donald Trump, Jan, Ken Griffin, Griffin, Griffin's, Ken Langone, David Tepper, Harold Hamm, Ben Kamisar, Bridget Bowman Organizations: U.S, United, New, Commission, SFA, Inc, PAC, SFA Fund, South, Trump, MAGA Inc, Citadel, CNBC, Haley, Haley PAC, Home, Carolina Panthers, NBC Locations: New Hampshire, Hampton , New Hampshire, U.S, South Carolina, Iowa

☆ South China Sea tensions are flaring between the Philippines and China. Here's why it matters for the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Over the past two decades, China has occupied a number of obscure reefs and atolls far from its shoreline across the South China Sea, building up military installations, including runways and ports. Video Ad Feedback Why it matters who owns the seas (April 2021) 03:48 - Source: CNNWhy does the South China Sea matter? The South China Sea is home to hundreds of largely uninhabited islands and coral atolls and diverse wildlife at risk from climate change and marine pollution. The US is not a claimant to the South China Sea, but says the waters are crucial to its national interest of guaranteeing freedom of the seas worldwide. Marcos has strengthened US relations that had frayed under his predecessor, with the two allies touting potential future joint patrols in the South China Sea.

Persons: It’s, China’s, Defense Lindsey Ford, ”, Stringer, Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr, Jay Batongbacal, “, Marcos Jr, Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos, Gregory Poling Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Navy, CNN, US Energy Information Agency, Communist Party, United, US Navy, Defense, Asia, Washington -, Strategic, International Studies, Ford, Spratly Islands, University of the, Philippine Coast Guard, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Transparency, Philippines Mutual Defense Locations: Hong Kong, South China, China, Beijing, Philippines, United States, South, The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, The Hague, Manila, Scarborough, Spratly, People’s Republic of China, Washington, Philippine, University of the Philippines, Asia

☆ Sycamore Gap: 16-year-old boy arrested after famous tree ‘deliberately felled’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( James Frater | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The tree - at a spot known as “Sycamore Gap” – was located on the historic UNESCO World Heritage listed Hadrian’s Wall, which was constructed around 1,900 years ago to guard the furthest northwestern frontier of the Roman Empire. The tree before it was felled. Andre Poling/ullstein bild/Getty ImagesSycamore Gap was considered one of the most photographed trees in England and was voted as English Tree of the Year in 2016. The National Trust heritage charity – which co-manages the site – said it was “shocked and saddened” by the tree’s felling. The sycamore tree, seen here in 2021, was a striking presence on the wild landscape around Hadrian's Wall.

Persons: London CNN —, Kevin Costner’s, Robin Hood, Andre Poling, ”, Andrew Poad, Kevin Taverner, Kevin Waring Organizations: London CNN, ” Police, UNESCO, Getty, National Trust, Park Authority, Police, CNN, Northumbria Police, North Locations: Northumberland, England, Roman, Hadrian's, Northumbria

Other countries that Vietnam has extended this designation to include China and Russia. Giving the U.S. the same status suggests that Vietnam wants to hedge its friendships as U.S. and European companies are looking for alternatives to Chinese factories. “We find ourselves in a situation where all of these changes around the world are taking place,” Biden explained about the Vietnam trip last month. "We have an opportunity, if we’re smart, to change the dynamic.”Political Cartoons View All 1148 ImagesU.S. trade with Vietnam has already accelerated since 2019. “I’ve gotten a call from the head of Vietnam, desperately wants to meet me when I go to the G20,” Biden said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, they’re, Xi, ” Biden, Gina Raimondo, Raimondo, ” Raimondo, IPEF, Jake Sullivan, Lê Hoài Trung, Trung, Sullivan, Nguyễn Phú Trọng, I’ve, “, Gregory Poling, ” Poling, Poling, ” Organizations: DELHI, United, U.S, Group, Census, Peterson Institute of International Economics, White House, Biden, Communist Party of Vietnam, Southeast Asia Program, Asia Maritime, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Vietnam, United States, China, Asia, Russia, Salt Lake City, India, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, U.S, Washington, Helsinki, Maine, Beijing, “

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — It took more than a day of flying, including two refueling stops, for Vice President Kamala Harris to reach this year’s summit of Southeast Asian countries. Political Cartoons on World Leaders View All 226 ImagesPolitical Cartoons View All 1146 ImagesThis was her third trip to Southeast Asia since taking office — Harris heads back to Washington on Thursday — and she's visited more countries here than any other region. Harris' approval ratings remain underwater, and her announcements in Southeast Asia tend to be counted in the millions of dollars rather than the billions. “Everybody works their own way.”Harris' travel to Southeast Asia began in her first year in office, when she visited Singapore and Vietnam, but the trip almost didn't happen. But she’s put in the work," said Gregory B. Poling, who directs the Southeast Asia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris, ”, ” Harris, — Harris, she's, “, Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden’s, she’s, Sullivan, Dinna Prapto, Phil Gordon, ” Gordon, Gregory B, Poling, David Rothkopf, Bill Clinton, there’s “, Biden didn't, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, it’s, Edna Tarigan Organizations: United, Associated Press, Lowy Institute, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, U.S, ”, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Economic Cooperation, AP Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, United States, Washington, Southeast Asia, China, Central America, Asia, Australia, Beijing, Jakarta, Singapore, Vietnam, Afghanistan, South China, Thailand, Philippines, U.S, Philippine, Palawan

☆ Vice President Harris will face doubts and dysfunction at the Southeast Asian nations summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

It's Harris' third trip to Southeast Asia and fourth to Asia overall, and she's touched down in more countries there than any other continent. This latest journey is another opportunity for Harris to burnish her foreign policy credentials as she prepares for a bruising campaign year. Her office has not yet detailed her schedule, but she's expected to attend summit events and hold individual talks with some foreign leaders. U.S. officials and analysts believe Beijing's aggressive approach to the region has created an opening for Washington to forge stronger partnerships. Stilwell served as the assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs under President Donald Trump.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Loy, Kent Nishimura, she'll, Joe Biden's, It's Harris, she's, Harris, She's, Biden, John Kirby, he's, Marty Natalegawa, Natalegawa, Kirby, Phil Gordon, there's, Gordon, Ian Chong, It's, Gregory B, Poling, David Stilwell, Stilwell, Donald Trump Organizations: Cabinet, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, U.S ., ASEAN, Loy Henderson International Conference, U.S . Department of State, Los Angeles Times, Getty, Democratic, Republican, White House, of Southeast Asian Nations, Washington, National University of Singapore, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Bureau, East, Pacific Affairs Locations: U.S, Washington , DC, Southeast Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, Asia, Washington, India, Vietnam, Myanmar, South China, United States, China, Philippines, Cambodia, South, Beijing, People's Republic of China, East Asian

Afterward, he was to have been the first sitting U.S. president to visit Papua New Guinea. In Sydney, Biden had planned to attend a meeting of the four so-called Quad nations - the United States, Japan, Australia and India. White House spokesperson John Kirby said Biden would be able to meet Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while in Hiroshima. Albanese said in a statement that Biden had apologized for not being able to visit Australia and that they would work to reschedule his visit at the earliest opportunity. “I'm sure the White House will find ways to make this up to partners in the short term.

☆ U.S.-Philippine alliance 'moving into a new era' with war drills: CSIS
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailU.S.-Philippine alliance 'moving into a new era' with their largest-ever war drills: Think tankGregory Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies says if former Philippine Rodrigo Duterte "wasn't good enough for China, then no Philippine president will ever be good enough for China."

REUTERS/Elizabeth FrantzWASHINGTON, April 11 (Reuters) - The top defense and diplomatic officials from the United States and Philippines agreed on Tuesday to complete a road map in coming months to cover the delivery of U.S. defense assistance to the Philippines over the next five to 10 years. Experts say the United States sees the Philippines as a potential location for rockets, missiles and artillery systems to counter a Chinese amphibious invasion of Taiwan, which China claims as its own. Austin said that it was "too early" to discuss what assets the United States would like to station at Philippine military bases under a recently expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The joint statement said the United States expects to boost its allocated spending for EDCA sites to over $100 million by the end of 2023, against a previously announced $80 million. U.S.-Philippines relations have warmed considerably under Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and the 2+2 meeting underlined that as the first of its kind in seven years.

☆ U.S. military expansion in the Philippines is 'just one step in a longer process': Think tank
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailU.S. military expansion in the Philippines is 'just one step in a longer process': Think tankGregory Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies discusses what's behind the United States' military presence in the Philippines and how it might be perceived by China.

☆ Austin's Manila visit to bring deal on expanded base access - Philippines official
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

WASHINGTON/MANILA, Feb 1 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's visit to the Philippines this week is expected to bring an announcement of expanded U.S. access to military bases in the country, a senior Philippines official said on Wednesday. "There's a push for another four or five of these EDCA sites," the a senior Philippines official said. The Philippines official said increased U.S. access needed to benefit both countries. "The deal with Russia was very attractive because for a certain budget we were able to get something like 16 of these heavy-lift helicopters," the official said. He said the U.S. and Philippine marines were pursuing similar capabilities with ground-based rockets, with Manila's particular interest being to protect its South China Sea claims.

☆ US Marines are taking position on 'key terrain' around Taiwan as tensions rise with China
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The US and Japan said in January that a Marine Littoral Regiment will be set up in Japan by 2025. That unit, the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, is the second of three Marine Littoral Regiments planned for the Indo-Pacific region, the first of which was activated in March 2022 and is based in Hawaii. Within weeks of its activation, the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment was participating in the US-Philippine military exercise Balikatan. New threat, new forceUS Marines provide security for an amphibious landing during Balikatan 22 in northern Luzon in March 2022. US Marines during an amphibious landing as part of Balikatan 22 in northern Luzon in March 2022.

☆ New US Marine units are taking position on 'key terrain' around Taiwan as tensions rise with China
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The US and Japan said in January that a Marine Littoral Regiment will be set up in Japan by 2025. A Marine Littoral Regiment will also hold a major exercise in the northern Philippines this spring. That unit, the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, is the second of three Marine Littoral Regiments planned for the Indo-Pacific region, the first of which was activated in March 2022 and is based in Hawaii. Within weeks of its activation, the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment was participating in the US-Philippine military exercise Balikatan. Members of 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment in Hawaii in August 2022.

☆ Kamala Harris’ visit to the Philippines sends China a message of US intent
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, the Philippines occupies nine features in the Spratly chain while China occupies seven. In 2016, a tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in a maritime dispute, concluding China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to the bulk of the South China Sea. “Philippine President Marcos appears open to the idea of pursuing pragmatic cooperation in the South China Sea, while not surrendering its long-standing position when it comes to the territorial issues in the South China Sea,” Banlaoi said. During her trip to the Philippines, Harris is expected to make a number of other announcements including tighter US cooperation with Manila on clean energy, cybersecurity, communication and agriculture. The deals show US intent in the Pacific region, but one South China Sea expert said Harris’ trip to the military base risks aggravating Beijing to the potential detriment of the Philippines.

Harris also plans a highly symbolic stop on the Philippine islands of Palawan in the South China Sea to show U.S. support for its ally. "So if they want American support in the South China Sea, the Americans will expect Philippine support on Taiwan." "The second Philippine demand is a continued clear commitment to defend Filipinos in the South China Sea," Poling said. If there was a Chinese attack on a Philippine base in the South China Sea tomorrow, could the Americans actually do anything about it? China claims 90% of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, but is opposed by five Southeast Asian states and Taiwan.

☆ Biden in Cambodia as global leaders join Southeast Asian summit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden is greeted upon his arrival at the Phnom Penh International Airport to attend the 2022 ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, November 12, 2022. Cambodia is hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) annual summit and a parallel East Asian Summit, with the regional bloc engaging with a host of leaders. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol met ASEAN leaders on Friday. "President Trump didn't attend a single East Asian Summit during four years in office," said Greg Poling, head of the Southeast Asia programme at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies. ASEAN leaders on Friday issued a "warning" to Myanmar to make measurable progress on a peace plan or risk being barred from the bloc's meetings, as social and political chaos escalates in the country.

☆ Biden says U.S.-ASEAN pact to address 'biggest issues of our time'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( Nandita Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/8] U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the 2022 ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, November 12, 2022. In his first visit to Southeast Asia as president, Biden said the region was at the heart of his administration's Indo-Pacific strategy and Washington was committing resources, not just rhetoric, under a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. ASEAN is engaging a host of leaders, including Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. At the gatherings, Biden will focus on the Indo-Pacific region and talk about U.S. commitment to a rules-based order in the South China Sea, a senior administration official said earlier this week. Biden on Saturday said the meetings would discuss Russia's "brutal" war against Ukraine and U.S. efforts to address the war's global impact.

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