A Toxic Relationship

By Richard Javad Heydarian

Richard Javad Heydarian is a political science professor at De La Salle University, Philippines, and the author of Asia's New Battlefield: US, China, and the Struggle for the Western Pacific (Zed, London). 

Over the past decade, the Philippines has gradually shifted from an equi-balancing strategy vis-à-vis the United States and China in favor of a more explicit tilt into the American strategic orbit. Bilateral relations with America have been rapidly blossoming, while Sino-Philippine relations have wilted.

Today, the Philippines is among the most enthusiastic supporters of the American Pivot to Asia, and has been on the forefront of an ongoing legal showdown with China at The Hague. Under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the Philippines is also opening up its military bases and other related facilities to American armed forces.

Access all of The Cipher Brief’s national security-focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher Brief Subscriber+ Member.

Sign Up Log In


Related Articles

Search

Close