JAPAN’s security courtship of the Philippines carries a deep historical irony. During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army invaded and occupied the country, leaving behind memories of massacres, forced…
The picture is grim. Philippine GDP growth slowed sharply to 2.8% in the first quarter of 2026, far below the government’s 5–6% target and weaker than expected. The Philippine Statistics…
Officially, no: the Philippine government is not saying that Balikatan 2026 is a rehearsal for any contingency situation or military escalation in the Taiwan Strait. But strategic realities are NOT…
The real controversy, however, lies not just in the strategic intent but in the terms of engagement. Reports attributed to US officials suggest that this 4,000-acre zone could be administered…
Japan’s decision to deploy combat troops to participate in the Balikatan Exercises marks a watershed moment, not just for Tokyo’s evolving security posture, but for the broader geopolitical landscape of…
BY any measure, the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected the jurisdiction challenge, despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2018. The court ruled that it still has jurisdiction because…
The announcement of a 4,000-acre “Economic Security Zone” under the U.S.-led Pax Silica is being sold as a milestone in Philippine industrial development. It promises investment, jobs, and integration into…
In the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific, Japan has re-emerged as a proactive strategic actor, expanding its defense posture, deepening security partnerships, and positioning itself as a guardian of…
By Li Aixin Illustration: Liu Xidan/GT Editor's Note: As Japan accelerates its military buildup, inks major new arms export deals and joins the annual Balikatan, or "shoulder-to-shoulder," drills as a full…
U.S.–Philippines 4,000-acre Economic Security Zone under Pax Silica is being marketed as an economic project, but the available record already shows that it is NOT merely economic. The official U.S.…