As US marks 75 years of defence pact with Philippines, can it stay the course?
The Philippines and the United States are marking the 75th anniversary of their defence alliance with a renewed pledge to step up joint drills as geopolitical tensions in the region continue to simmer. While the allies are moving towards more frequent planning for maritime security cooperation and deterrence, there are still questions about Washington’s long-term commitment towards the security…
The United States and the Philippines are commemorating the 75th anniversary of their defense pact, with both sides vowing to enhance joint military exercises and planning for maritime security cooperation. Commander of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Paparo, and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Antonio Nafarrete, signed a memorandum outlining the next phase of their collaboration during an annual security engagement meeting in Manila.
Analysts question Washington's long-term commitment to the alliance, citing China's growing military presence in the South China Sea and aggressive activities in the region. The Philippines, a key player at the intersection of the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, has become a critical component in the US's "island chain" strategy, aimed at preserving deterrence across the first island chain that stretches from Japan to the Philippines.
Recent joint military drills with partners such as Japan, Australia, and New Zealand have expanded, covering areas like air and missile defense, maritime operations, and cyber cooperation. As the alliance evolves, experts suggest building resilience in logistics, communications, and command-and-control networks to ensure the system remains functional, even under pressure.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
