Amid Tensions with China, The Philippines Worries About the U.S.
EXPERT INTERVIEW – As the world trains its focus on the headlines about Ukraine — the U.S. pivot to Russia, the pause on American support to Ukraine, […] More
Philippines
Why Political Change in the Philippines May Mean Trouble for the U.S.
OPINION — Domestic geopolitics matters. The recent departure of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio from President Bongbong Marcos’s cabinet, though unexplained, reveals a policy schism with […] More
EXPERT ANALYSIS: Escalating Tensions Between China and the Philippines Could Draw the U.S. Into Conflict
BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT — Long-simmering tensions in the South China Sea and a recent spate of close calls and violent run-ins involving China and […] More
South China Sea Flareups Raise Fears of Wider Conflict
SUBSCRIBER+ EXCLUSIVE REPORTING — The South China Sea is boiling again. Access all of The Cipher Brief’s national security-focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher […] More
The Latest
EXCLUSIVE: Manila’s Envoy to Beijing Weighs-In On Recent US-China Tensions
EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER+ INTERVIEW — An old friend of Beijing returned to China this week in a move that harkens back to a time when Manila […] More
Southeast Asia’s Vulnerability to Terrorism
Bottom Line Up Front Given its history, geography and demographics, Southeast Asia has proven to be hospitable terrain for myriad terrorist and insurgent groups. […] More
ISIS Looking to Rebound in the Philippines—And Spread
Indonesia was hit by a series of deadly bombings this past May. The attacks targeted churches and were carried out by families with young children, […] More
U.S.-Philippine Relations Rebound Under Trump
In the Philippines Monday, President Donald Trump will try to maintain momentum as the U.S. rebuilds its relationship with Manila amidst rising Chinese influence. Ties between the two nations […] More
Will Southeast Asia Go the Way of Populist Philippines?
President Donald Trump leaves Friday for a nine-day trip to Asia, a continent that has stayed relatively free of the populism that has washed over […] More
Filipino ISIS ‘Not a Rag-Tag Group of Rebels’
After months of battling ISIS-linked militants in the Philippine city of Marawi, Philippine forces are on the cusp of wrestling control of the last ISIS […] More
Manila Scores a Victory Against ISIS but More Battles Loom
Philippine security forces, with timely international military and intelligence assistance, successfully contained, isolated, and eliminated the threat posed by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Marawi. […] More
Philippines Faces Long Slog Against ISIS
Now into its fourth month, fighting between Philippine forces and pro-ISIS militants in the Philippine island of Mindanao has nearly subsided, with only a handful […] More
Southeast Asia Grapples with Extremism Resurgence
Following the recent liberation of Mosul and Raqqa under siege, the so-called Islamic State is slowly collapsing inwards. As it does, the prospect of battle […] More
Returning Foreign Fighters or the Ones Who Stayed Home – What’s Worse?
As the Islamic State diminishes in Iraq and Syria, experts have warned that returning fighters could reorganize and carry out attacks in their home countries. […] More
ISIS’ Reach Extends to Southeast Asia
Just days before Indonesia’s Independence Day celebration, Indonesian police foiled a chemical bomb attack on Tuesday that targeted the presidential palace in Jakarta. They arrested […] More
Philippines Security Shaken as International Jihadists Seek Safe Haven
As a Catholic-majority nation with a large Muslim minority in the southern islands, the Philippines has struggled with religious strife for decades. While extremist violence […] More
Philippine City is a Battleground in Global Fight Against Extremism
Last week, General Eduardo Ano, the Philippines Chief of Staff, said he hoped that the city of Marawi would be liberated from Islamist militants before […] More
U.S. Special Operations Troops Advising Philippines Forces on Insurgents
While Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte remains at odds with the United States, the armed forces of the two countries have maintained a close working relationship […] More
New Threat Landscape in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is emerging as an ISIS battlefield, and security threats in the region will accelerate and grow with the group’s global expansion – with […] More