Strengthening Partnership: Enhancing Alliance with the Philippines to Counter China's Rise

Abstract

Chinas revanchist approach, fueled by its years of military modernization and economic growth, poses significant threats to the peace and security in the Southeast Asia region. Chinas aggressive expansion and advancement in Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) capabilities challenge the stability, security, freedom of navigation, and U.S. interests in an increasingly volatile region. The pivot to the Pacific shifts strategic focus and resources in the region to contain Chinas rise. This report answers the question: how can the U.S. employ its Instruments of National Power (IOPs) with the Philippines to help counter Chinas rise in the South China Sea? The U.S. can address these threats by bolstering the alliance with the Philippines through the use of all IOPs. This report uses the problem and solution methodology to address challenges by Chinas preeminence in the region. This method addresses opportunities for the U.S. to strengthen partnership with the Philippines. In conclusion, the U.S. defense posture hinges on reinvigorating partnerships with the Philippines to preserve peace, stability, and prosperity by leveraging a whole-of-government approach to protecting U.S. interests. The Philippines, a long-time U.S. ally, is a key stakeholder, and therefore deepening commitment is a top priority. Recommendations for this report include: enhancing US Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) partnership to address the territorial disputes, modernizing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by providing state-of-the-art capabilities, reinvigorating joint military exercises to improve interoperability, unwavering assurance and deterrence messaging, and continuing to elevate Philippines economy on a path of more inclusive economic growth.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2017
Accession Number
AD1053971

Entities

People

  • Josemaria R. Cadelina

Organizations

  • Air Command and Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Counterterrorism
  • Department Of State
  • Energy Security
  • Federal Budgets
  • Foreign Military Sales
  • Foreign Policy
  • Governments
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • Islands
  • Maritime Domain Awareness
  • Maritime Security
  • Military Exercises
  • National Security
  • Navigation
  • New York
  • Security
  • South China Sea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Territorial Disputes
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Uss Fitzgerald
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Strategic Security Studies