US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) was in the Philippines to finalise the deal

The US has secured access to four additional military bases in the Philippines - a key bit of real estate which would offer a front seat to monitor the Chinese in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.

With this deal, Washington has stitched the gap in the arc of US alliances stretching from South Korea and Japan in the north to Australia in the south.

The missing link had been the Philippines, which borders two of the biggest potential flashpoints, Taiwan and the South China Sea, or the West Philippine Sea as Manila insists on calling it.

The US already had limited access to five sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) - the new additions and expanded access, according to a statement from Washington, will "allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines, and respond to other shared challenges", likely a veiled reference to countering China in the region.

The statement came after Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin met Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr in Manila on Thursday.

The US hasn't said where the new bases are but three of them could be on Luzon, an island on the northern edge of the Philippines, the only large piece of land close to Taiwan - if you don't count China.

The deal, which in part reverses the US' departure from their former colony more than 30 years ago, is no small matter.

"There is no contingency in the South China Sea that does not require access to the Philippines," says Gregory B Poling, director of the Southeast Asia programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

"The US is not looking for permanent bases. It's about places, not bases."

That is, it is seeking access to places where "light and flexible" operations involving supplies and surveillance can be run as and when needed, rather than bases where large numbers of troops will be stationed.

US to invest in more Philippine bases


In other words, this is not a return to the 1980s, when the Philippines was home to 15,000 US troops and two of the largest American military bases in Asia, at Clark Field and nearby Subic Bay.

Then in 1991 the Philippine government called time. The Filipinos had recently overthrown the hated dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, and sending the old colonial masters home would further cement both democracy and independence.

The Vietnam war was long over, the Cold War was winding down, and China was as yet a military weakling. So, in 1992, the Americans went home - or at least most of them did.

Roll forward 30-odd years and another Marcos is back in the Malacañang Palace.

More important, China is no longer a military weakling, and it's knocking on the Philippines' front door. Manila has watched - horrified but powerless to intervene - as Beijing has set about redrawing the map of the South China Sea. Since 2014 China has built 10 artificial island bases, including one at Mischief Reef, deep inside the Philippines' own exclusive economic zone or EEZ.

Up to then relations between Manila and Beijing had been free of major problems, says Herman Kraft, a political science professor at University of the Philippines.

"We had a live and let live situation in the South China Sea. But in 2012 they tried to seize control of Scarborough Shoal. Then in 2014 they began building the islands. The land grab by China changed the relationship."

"We have very limited capability against the threat from China," says former Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr.

He says the Chinese have repeatedly broken promises not to militarise their new South China Sea bases.

"The Chinese have militarised those features and that puts more of our territory under threat. Only the US has the power to stop them. The Philippines cannot do it alone."

But this time there will not be thousands of US marines and airmen filling the red-light districts of Olongapo or Angeles city again.

Olongapo, close to a US naval base, was a hub for the illegal s*x trade in the 1970s

The history of violence and abuse by US troops in the Philippines is still a sensitive subject. There are an estimated 15,000 children left with their Filipino mothers when their American fathers went home.

"We have a long history of inequality in our relationship," says Renato Reyes, secretary general of New Patriotic Alliance, a left-wing group. "The Philippines has been forced to shoulder the social costs. There's a history of r*pe, child abuse, and of toxic waste."

The US' return to the Philippines is strongly opposed by the country's left-wing groups.

While there won't be as many troops as earlier, Washington is now asking for access to several new locations, some facing the South China Sea, others facing north towards Taiwan. Unofficial reports point to options in Cagayan, Zambales, Palawan and Isabela.

The first one faces Taiwan, the second the Scarborough shoal, and the third the Spratly Islands. Any new US facilities will be inside existing Philippine bases. US troops will come in small groups and on rotation.

The aim, says Mr Poling, will be to deter further territorial expansion by China in the South China Sea, while also providing a place for the US to watch Chinese military movements around Taiwan.

"The Philippines has no way to deter China outside this alliance," he says. "It's buying BrahMos missiles from India. The US would like to deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles. Together they can hold Chinese vessels."

With increasing concern about a conflict over Taiwan, the Philippines could offer a "rear access area" for US military operations, or even a place to evacuate refugees.

"People forget there are between 150,000-200,000 Filipinos living in Taiwan," Mr Poling says.

Left-wing groups oppose a US military presence in the Philippines

But Manila is not about to become a full-blown member of an American alliance to challenge or resist China's rise, Professor Kraft cautions.

"The Philippines is not doing those things like Australia and Japan, directly challenging Chinese interests in the South China Sea or East China Sea. President Marcos wants good relations with the US. But he also wants good relations with China for economic advantage."

Beijing too has indicated that it does not intend to allow a new base agreement between Manila and Washington to disrupt its relations with its neighbour.

In an editorial published to coincide with the arrival of the US defence secretary in Manila, China's state-run Global Times accused the US of "setting a trap for the Philippines" and "trying to push the Philippines to the frontline of confrontation with China".

"We are once again being caught in the middle," says Mr Reyes, who believes China is just as much a capitalist imperialist power as the US.

"The Philippines still has a colonial mentality - it looks to the United States as its big brother."

Source:  https://bit.ly/3HPtNrr

Mfer name bong bong

US just lost to Afghanistan can we take a break and retool before china

We looking like Russia out here

Voodoogeddon said US just lost to Afghanistan can we take a break and retool before china We looking like Russia out here

Afghanistan doesn't count. That's like saying we lost the war on drugs. Only real war we lost was the Vietnam war.

Imagine being president of a country and you allowing a foreign country to put a military base.....in your country. That's got to be emasculating as fu*k.

Number5 said Afghanistan doesn't count. That's like saying we lost the war on drugs. Only real war we lost was the Vietnam war.

America has been losing wars for awhile. I don't think we're ever going to war with Russia or China as a 'nation-state vs nation-state' scenario would be costly. America will just agitate/annoy those countries (like placing missile systems along the Ukraine border to anger Putin, and arming Taiwan to p*ss off China)

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zerogate said Imagine being president of a country and you allowing a foreign country to put a military base.....in your country. That's got to be emasculating as fu*k. America has been losing wars for awhile. I don't think we're ever going to war with Russia or China as a 'nation-state vs nation-state' scenario would be costly. America will just agitate/annoy those countries (like placing missile systems along the Ukraine border to anger Putin, and arming Taiwan to p*ss off China)

I don’t think they would engage either honestly

The west has too much power on multiple continents


Strategically speaking they better off forming alliances with key countries on every continent and quietly gain everyone’s favor

Specifically Africa

If they can build up africa and get them on the same page they will finally have enough power on top of alliances built in South America

I think China has rights to Panama Canal

Then you got rumors they meddling in American elections

Why not just play the long game…

They can mandate rules to keep they people in check while America eats itself from the inside out

Then meanwhile they build up africa and get africa to be tight with them then the west gonna have real problems because I doubt any country in the americas has any real allegiance to the US… they just deal with us because they have too… the only ones that will are the Europeans for obvious reasons

And then our only true ally Europe is having a population crisis

Another reason why Africa is key… because they are next to have a boom similar too what china went through but there population is still growing while everyone else’s is stagnating…

The Russians and the Chinese gotta split the pizza three ways with africa if they want to overthrow the European stranglehold

I think whichever side wins africa favor will be the victor

zerogate said Imagine being president of a country and you allowing a foreign country to put a military base.....in your country. That's got to be emasculating as fu*k.

Idk about that, Philippines is small af in that region and big boy USA coming to fix up infrastructure and have some big guns ready if necessary.

I think every country is on that fu*k Russia/China tip right now

Unfadeable07 said I don’t think they would engage either honestly The west has too much power on multiple continents Strategically speaking they better off forming alliances with key countries on every continent and quietly gain everyone’s favor Specifically Africa If they can build up africa and get them on the same page they will finally have enough power on top of alliances built in South America I think China has rights to Panama Canal Then you got rumors they meddling in American elections Why not just play the long game… They can mandate rules to keep they people in check while America eats itself from the inside out Then meanwhile they build up africa and get africa to be tight with them then the west gonna have real problems because I doubt any country in the americas has any real allegiance to the US… they just deal with us because they have too… the only ones that will are the Europeans for obvious reasons And then our only true ally Europe is having a population crisis Another reason why Africa is key… because they are next to have a boom similar too what china went through but there population is still growing while everyone else’s is stagnating… The Russians and the Chinese gotta split the pizza three ways with africa if they want to overthrow the European stranglehold I think whichever side wins africa favor will be the victor

If you’ve followed the issue for a while.. Then you’d know, Africa is integral. Chinas investing a grip in the continent. But with strings, monstrous strings. Debt, debt, and more debt. Russias swaying minds. TikToks a fun app to watch right ? I was hesitant to use it at first, then said fukc it about a year ago.. These past few months though, Russia, Russia, Russia. The Wagner group, parades, their military and a bunch of African cats promoting their love for Russia. Propaganda on hyper drive bro. To the point I want to delete it.

It’s not hidden, Russia and China have been undermining the west for years. That plan is working. The worlds been picking sides. One thing I can say any the US is that it’s a muthafu*ka to deal with. These bases. The icing on the cake for containment. Hats off to the US military for finally pulling it off. The Philippines was on the fence with Duterte. BongBong said fukc China. They been getting punked for a few years already.

People have no idea how different the world would be right now if Trump was able to remain president. Russia would've taken Ukraine within weeks and already have moved its military to other ex- Soviet Union territories. And just like Hong Kong, China would have taken Taiwan by now and used its military might as a threat against all the other countries around the South China sea and basically take and claim anything within that region

We've basically held back China by leaving them guessing what we would do if they decide to militarily invade Taiwan. And now that we secured these bases, China has to know that this would be a long costly war for not much gain just like Russia is now dealing with in Ukraine.

As far as Russia, with money alone, we're defeating the second most powerful country and we haven't fired a single shot.

Verdict said People have no idea how different the world would be right now if Trump was able to remain president. Russia would've taken Ukraine within weeks and already have moved its military to other ex- Soviet Union territories. And just like Hong Kong, China would have taken Taiwan by now and used its military might as a threat against all the other countries around the South China sea and basically take and claim anything within that region We've basically held back China by leaving them guessing what we would do if they decide to militarily invade Taiwan. And now that we secured these bases, China has to know that this would be a long costly war for not much gain just like Russia is now dealing with in Ukraine. As far as Russia, with money alone, we're defeating the second most powerful country and we haven't fired a single shot.

They all on the same team

Verdict said People have no idea how different the world would be right now if Trump was able to remain president. Russia would've taken Ukraine within weeks and already have moved its military to other ex- Soviet Union territories. And just like Hong Kong, China would have taken Taiwan by now and used its military might as a threat against all the other countries around the South China sea and basically take and claim anything within that region We've basically held back China by leaving them guessing what we would do if they decide to militarily invade Taiwan. And now that we secured these bases, China has to know that this would be a long costly war for not much gain just like Russia is now dealing with in Ukraine. As far as Russia, with money alone, we're defeating the second most powerful country and we haven't fired a single shot.

Trump was in Putin bag so much he waited till he was out of office to invade, do y’all not hear how retarded y’all sound?

Putin invade Ukraine for 2 reason

1. The weak response under Obama for taking Crimea

2. The embarrassing withdrawal from Afghanistan


The retard in office is shaking the hornets nest with all our oops trying to start war. Biden is the biggest war hawk and bi*ch the the security state.


50 years in politics and people believe Biden’s foreign policy is great for this country when his own peers called him a joke in that aspect.

“These things that didn’t happen with trump in office would have happened if he kept office”

It k*lls me how some of y’all will live in the US, don’t have a passport too scared to leave, but be cool with the US getting overthrown like your friends and fam won’t have to worry about a guided bomb taking out the neighborhood during an offensive mounted by the enemy. Russia or China take over the US, it ain’t finna be peaceful. I’ve been to Russia and China, y’all don’t want that life trust me. Both places are OK, but if y’all understand history US citizens ain’t gonna have it sweet during or after an invasion.

boobalo1 said If you’ve followed the issue for a while.. Then you’d know, Africa is integral. Chinas investing a grip in the continent. But with strings, monstrous strings. Debt, debt, and more debt. Russias swaying minds. TikToks a fun app to watch right ? I was hesitant to use it at first, then said fukc it about a year ago.. These past few months though, Russia, Russia, Russia. The Wagner group, parades, their military and a bunch of African cats promoting their love for Russia. Propaganda on hyper drive bro. To the point I want to delete it. It’s not hidden, Russia and China have been undermining the west for years. That plan is working. The worlds been picking sides. One thing I can say any the US is that it’s a muthafu*ka to deal with. These bases. The icing on the cake for containment. Hats off to the US military for finally pulling it off. The Philippines was on the fence with Duterte. BongBong said fukc China. They been getting punked for a few years already.

I’m not gonna lie and say I study these topics but from the bits of stuff I catch here and there

Asia is wide open where as africa not really rockin wit the euros or the west


But again the problem I see straight off the bat is

All the countries that do align with the west in Asia are facing significant population crisis just like Europe

Voodoogeddon said They all on the same team

Good one!

Booda Sack said Trump was in Putin bag so much he waited till he was out of office to invade, do y’all not hear how retarded y’all sound? Putin invade Ukraine for 2 reason 1. The weak response under Obama for taking Crimea 2. The embarrassing withdrawal from Afghanistan The retard in office is shaking the hornets nest with all our oops trying to start war. Biden is the biggest war hawk and bi*ch the the security state. 50 years in politics and people believe Biden’s foreign policy is great for this country when his own peers called him a joke in that aspect. “These things that didn’t happen with trump in office would have happened if he kept office”

Welp he fu*ked up that decision! And...

view image

So you can shut the fu*k up now

Verdict said Good one! Welp he fu*ked up that decision! And... view image So you can shut the fu*k up now

Evidence the us was a puppet state for Russia while maga was president

Verdict said Good one! Welp he fu*ked up that decision! And... view image So you can shut the fu*k up now

Bolton

Unfadeable07 said I don’t think they would engage either honestly The west has too much power on multiple continents Strategically speaking they better off forming alliances with key countries on every continent and quietly gain everyone’s favor Specifically Africa If they can build up africa and get them on the same page they will finally have enough power on top of alliances built in South America I think China has rights to Panama Canal Then you got rumors they meddling in American elections Why not just play the long game… They can mandate rules to keep they people in check while America eats itself from the inside out Then meanwhile they build up africa and get africa to be tight with them then the west gonna have real problems because I doubt any country in the americas has any real allegiance to the US… they just deal with us because they have too… the only ones that will are the Europeans for obvious reasons And then our only true ally Europe is having a population crisis Another reason why Africa is key… because they are next to have a boom similar too what china went through but there population is still growing while everyone else’s is stagnating… The Russians and the Chinese gotta split the pizza three ways with africa if they want to overthrow the European stranglehold I think whichever side wins africa favor will be the victor

These other countries are playing the long game because they know that America will collapse and it happens from within.

Men are weak in America because women are weak

china is prospering by uplifting its people and people in other countries

the US refuses to do anything to makes its citizens' lives easier - much less the lives of people in other countries - and instead needs armed conflict to maintain its dominance in the world

Number5 said Afghanistan doesn't count. That's like saying we lost the war on drugs. Only real war we lost was the Vietnam war.

False smh it dont count what kind of logic is that

Voodoogeddon said US just lost to Afghanistan can we take a break and retool before china We looking like Russia out here

Afghanistan and Iraq were preparation for the bigger war to come. We will be the most battle ready military in the world by a mile, and likely also the most technologically advanced. Not saying anything is coming, I doubt it is, but I think that’s why we do sh*t like that, aside from the financial reasons.

Soprano ATL said Afghanistan and Iraq were preparation for the bigger war to come. We will be the most battle ready military in the world by a mile, and likely also the most technologically advanced. Not saying anything is coming, I doubt it is, but I think that’s why we do sh*t like that, aside from the financial reasons.

But we lost the preparation

Theprodigalone said False smh it dont count what kind of logic is that

We didn't lose to an actual military. We actually created a military for them

I'd say the war on terrorism was a failure. We definitely failed at that. But I wouldn't say we lost a war to Afghanistan.

Number5 said We didn't lose to an actual military. We actually created a military for them I'd say the war on terrorism was a failure. We definitely failed at that. But I wouldn't say we lost a war to Afghanistan.

So they wasn't a military but we created they military smh see what i mean your logic is not there bruh

Is Marcos just as crooked as his parents ?