US special forces ready to step up combat drills in Philippines and help deter aggression in Asia

American special operations forces are prepared to intensify combat readiness training with their Philippine counterparts and additional Asian nations to bolster a security pact and potentially avert a major conflict in the region, according to U.S. military sources. Admiral Frank Bradley, head of the U.S. Special Operations Command, is currently in the Philippines following a tour of South Korea and is set to meet with military officials in Japan.

Bradley's visit underscores the United States' dedication to Asian allies amid the ongoing conflict in Iran.

As the commander of a military entity comprising roughly 80,000 personnel, Bradley's command is responsible for some of the U.S. military's most covert and perilous operations. The majority of these forces are stationed across more than 80 countries worldwide. During his visit, Bradley engaged in discussions with Filipino military leaders regarding the Philippine military's ongoing modernization efforts, increased joint combat exercises with the U.S. and other allies, and efforts to expand a network of security alliances to deter China's increasingly assertive actions in the South China Sea.

Tensions have long simmered in the disputed waters, with China and smaller claimant states, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, frequently clashing over territorial boundaries. However, recent confrontations have intensified, particularly between Chinese and Philippine forces. The United States has consistently pledged its commitment to defend the Philippines, its longest-standing treaty ally in Asia, should Filipino forces face an armed attack.