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Philippines
Russia in the Indo-Pacific: Historical Ties, Strategic Choices, and the Local Logic of Engagement
2026
This report is based on a focused group discussion to assess Russia’s post-2022 pivot to Asia through the lenses of defense cooperation, energy diplomacy, institutional participation, and soft power outreach.
The Middle East Crisis: Perspectives from the Philippines
The Middle East crisis profoundly impacts the Philippines through oil, migrant workers and regional stability.
Countering Disinformation in the South China Sea
Disinformation in the South China Sea is a complex challenge requiring a multi-pronged effort and global cooperation.
Political Dynasties in Indonesia and the Philippines
Political dynasties in Indonesia and the Philippines erode democracy by leveraging influence, wealth and strategic positions for family power.
When Push Comes to Shove
China’s persistent aggressive tactics threaten the territorial integrity of the Philippines and the international maritime order.
Israel’s Expanding War and Its Implications to the Philippines
An unstable Middle East is not good for the Philippines’ economic interests.
Marcos Jr.’s Triple Trouble
Brice Lee Tseen Fu - 2024
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is stuck in a high-stake gambit between upholding commitments to the United States, responding to China’s antagonism and managing ASEAN discontent.
Urgently Needed: Strategic Elevation of Philippines-Middle East Relations
Due to the ongoing global geopolitical flux, there is an imperative for the Marcos Jr. administration to consider the Middle East and North African (MENA) region as an alternative source of investment, foreign tourists and market for Philippine products.
Family Dynamics: An Important Factor for Returning Filipino Foreign Terrorist Fighters
If allowed to return, the Philippine government must consider that accepting the return of Foreign Terrorist Fighters will create a dilemma for the country. On one end, the government is responsible for its returning citizens; on the other, it increases the risk of Filipino families being recruited into terrorism.
Victory and Defeat: The Philippines and the South China Sea
Underneath all of President Rodrigo Duterte’s strongman bravado is a deep-seated insecurity, resulting in a widespread defeatist attitude. This defeatism, while can be traced back to Filipino’s culture and the country’s longstanding alliance with the United States, manifests in Duterte’s pivot to China policy and neutrality in the Ukraine crisis. It has also provided a suitable context that ushered the return of the Marcos family to power.
Optimism Tempered with Reasonable Caution: The State of Philippine Cryptocurrency Regulations
The Philippine regulatory authorities aim to achieve the broader goals of fostering financial inclusion, promoting competition and delivering better outcomes for society. These goals are also pertinent to the cryptocurrency industry. Nevertheless, trust is needed to maintain the societal conventions regarding the use of money.
A Matter of Firm Resolve: The Philippine’s Strategic Posture in the South China Sea
The Philippines has upheld international law on the South China Sea. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared that the 2016 Arbitral Award “is now part of international law, beyond compromise and beyond the reach of passing governments to dilute, diminish or abandon.”
Striving for Peace in the Philippines amidst Increased Combat-readiness and Continued Recruitment of Women and Children
- Drei Toledo
- 2020
Female and children combatants of the different terrorist groups operating in the Philippines possess a myriad of skills. For women, this includes identifying safe havens for fighters, while children help provide surveillance activities of the police and military units in the area.
Why are CPP-NPA Terrorists Deadlier than Religious Extremists?
- Drei Toledo
- 2020
Armed Forces of the Philippines’ official records show that the NPA communist-terrorist group has killed 13,304 of its troops from 1975 to June 2020. This is four times the soldiers killed by the MNLF and the MILF, and 5.5 times the soldiers killed by the Abu Sayyaf Group.
