Security Force Assistance in the Philippines

Abstract

Thesis: The involvement of the US conventional military's Security Force Assistance in the Philippines with significant future investment can build the foundation for comprehensive solutions that can stabilize the country, prevent future internal conflicts, and combat Philippine-grown insurgencies. Discussion: Strategically located at the center of maritime Southeast Asia, the Philippines has endemic corruption and insurgency that have expanded and worsened despite over a hundred years of halfhearted US intervention. The Philippines has significant economic potential and rich resources. US participation and cooperation in the Philippines must be continued and enhanced. It takes time to develop trust and build partnership capacity in foreign militaries and even longer to eliminate corruption through careful spending and positive example. The battle with corruption at every level plagues democratic progress while inhibiting success in the fight against violent extremism. To achieve success in this environment the US must pursue long-term goals and be patient as the Philippines works through the political process. Realizing the context and the long term approach, US Security Force Assistance in the Philippines with interagency participation can develop larger solutions for national stability, prevent future insurgencies, and dissipate the potential for terrorism. Conclusion: Security Force Assistance applied effectively builds partnership capacity by training both US and foreign services in conventional and unconventional warfare through realistic training, ensuring that both nations become stronger warfighting instruments for each other's nations. In this light Security Force Assistance is the best daily application and use of US military force abroad to prevent future conflicts.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA511312

Entities

People

  • Kemper A. Jones

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Archipelagoes
  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Counterinsurgency
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of State
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Military Science
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Security
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • Warfare

Readers

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