Comics (November 18, 2022)

Austin will be in South Korea and the Philippines this week as Washington seeks to strengthen its presence via alliances in the Indo-Pacific.

Low-cost airlines are starting to catch up with flag carrier Philippine Airlines in reinstating their pre-crisis routes to China, taking advantage of Beijing’s decision to lift its health restrictions on leisure travel.

The foreign policy and security strategy of a state reflect the security risks that it prioritizes.

Invoking the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty – acknowledging and repeatedly stressing its applicability in the West Philippine Sea (a Philippine proposition earlier rejected by the Obama administration) – the United States appears to be angling to use Subic Bay once more as its naval base in this part of the world.

President Marcos reminded the Philippine Coast Guard to be prepared to defend not only the country’s coastlines but also its citizens, noting that its mission has become more “intense” due to recent incidents that transpired in the West Philippine Sea.