The Role of Threat in the Dynamics of the Philippine-United States Alliance (original) (raw)

Territorial Disputes, Realpolitik, and Alliance Transformation: The Case of 21st Century Philippine-U.S. Security Relations

How do territorial disputes transform alliances? How are alliances transformed? This article examines how the Philippines' territorial dispute with China over the Spratlys compels it to strengthen its security ties with the United States. Specifically, it observes that China's realpolitik approach to the quarrel shifts the focus of the Philippine-U.S. security relationship from counterterrorism/counterinsurgency to developing the AFP's maritime/territorial defense capabilities. It also analyzes how this contentious issue impacts on the alliance in terms of: (1) reformulation of its threat perception, (2) the hegemon's prerogative, (3) the process of institutionalization, (4) the strategy of institutionalization, and (5) the intra-alliance bargaining process. In conclusion, the article notes that the reconfiguring of the Philippine-U.S. alliance, which has been revitalized in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, aims to address the major security challenge of the twenty-first century-China's emergence and increasing assertiveness as a regional power.

Alliance, Partnerships, And The Philippines' National Security Strategy

Eurasia Review, 2018

At eve of the 2018 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, European Council President Donald Tusk, in response to the criticisms from President Trump, reminded Washington to “appreciate your allies, after all you don’t have that many.” Tusk also called on Europe “spend more on your [defense], because everyone respects an ally that is well-prepared and equipped.” The same message is also true for the members of a network of alliances and partnerships—particularly for relatively smaller and weaker states, as well as their leaders—in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, a region facing immense foreign policy challenges against the backdrop of major powers competing for geopolitical preeminence. https://www.eurasiareview.com/03122018-alliance-partnerships-and-the-philippines-national-security-strategy-analysis/

Suspending the Termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement: Navigating the Geopolitical Currents of the Philippines-US Alliance

NDCP Executive Policy Brief, 2020

Using a theoretical understanding of small power behavior, this paper examined the national security challenges posed by a potential abrogation of the VFA. Cognizant of their relative weakness, small powers favor the status quo order in order to, among others, broaden the diplomatic space for maneuver and choice, and expand the resources upon which they can use in times of stress. Terminating the VFA would further unleash the remaining restraints to China’s maritime expansionist agenda and would help facilitate Beijing’s efforts to alter the status quo to its favor. Moreover, the decision also produced a cloud of uncertainty over the trajectory of the security relations with the Philippines’ strategic/comprehensive partners as the VFA termination raises the issue of reliability and credibility. Hence, this paper concludes that the decision to abrogate the VFA is at variance with Philippine national security interests as a small power. While the Manila-Washington alliance is far from perfect, supporting continued US presence through the implementation of the VFA is consistent with the Philippines’ efforts in mitigating its geopolitical vulnerabilities. The Philippines must always act with foresight, prudence, and flexibility in the realm of foreign policy because, as Kenneth Waltz argued, “[w]eak states operate on narrow margins. Inopportune acts, flawed policies, and mistimed moves may have fatal results.”

Linking Spokes Together: The Philippines' Gambit of Harnessing the United States' Alliances in its External Balancing Policy against an Emergent China

2014

This article examines the Philippines’ strategy of external balancing against an aggressive China as it intensifies its security ties with the United States, its only strategic and long-standing ally. This course of action aims to strengthen the country’s defense relations with the United States, particularly in developing the territorial defense capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In this process, the Philippines finds it similarly essential to establish security ties with other bilateral defense partners of the United States, such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia. In conclusion, the article argues that fostering informal security arrangements with these countries enables the Philippines to confront a pressing and persistent maritime issue in Southeast Asia: China’s expansion in the South China Sea. Key words: alliances, external balancing, hub-and-spokes, Philippine–US relations, Philippine defense policy, internal balancing.

National Security Journal The Philippines' Institutionalised Alliance with the US: Surviving Duterte's China Appeasement Policy

National Security Journal, 2021

This paper examines the security partnership of the United States-Philippines during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. Using the theoretical framework of alliance institutionalisation, we identified several factors that can determine the strength of alliances and security partnerships. Applying this framework, we suggest that because of deep alliance institutionalisation, the security partnership between the Philippines and the United States is actually quite resilient despite President Duterte's position on this issue.

America's Evolving Indo-Pacific Strategy: Implications for the Philippines-U.S. Alliance

NDCP Executive Policy Brief, 2022

Cognizant of the changing security environment, the U.S. IPS underscores how the region is "vital to [America's] security and prosperity." 1 The Biden administration's strategy builds on the efforts of its predecessors. Barack Obama's administration pushed for a Pivot/Rebalance to Asia, while Donald Trump's government pursued a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) agenda. President Biden came into office in 2021 determined to focus on Indo-Pacific region. 2 However, on 24 February 2022, barely two weeks after the U.S. IPS was released, Russia invaded its neighbor, Ukraine. Attention then shifted to Europe. However, with the war still ongoing, it may be valuable to examine the strategic implications of the U.S. IPS for the Philippines. In this regard, this Executive Policy Brief (EPB) seeks to examine the implications of the evolving U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy for the Philippines. In particular, this paper seeks to answer the following specific research questions: 1) What are the elements of the Biden administration's Indo-Pacific strategy? How are such components similar or different with the strategies of its predecessors?; 2) How does the convergence and divergence of interests in potential flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific shape the policy complexities for Manila and Washington?; and 3) What are the prospects for Philippines-U.S. alliance under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. To answer the foregoing questions, this paper shall be guided by International Relations theory. In his seminal work, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, Professor John J. Mearsheimer noted that partly because of the anarchic structure of the international system, which engenders a self-help imperative, statesin particular great powersfear each other. 3 In this geostrategic context, the primary goal of states is to survive which could be achieved by altering the balance of power in its favor. While achieving global hegemony is unlikely, great powers can aspire to become a regional hegemon, i.e. a great power dominating a distinct geographical area. 4 Once a great power achieves regional hegemony, however, it seeks to prevent other great powers from achieving a similar