Philippines

February 3, 2025 | Jack Burnham, Johanna Yang

Philippines Busts Chinese Spy Ring Targeting U.S. and Allied Military Infrastructure

China is mapping U.S. and allied military installations around the world. Filipino security officials arrested five Chinese nationals on January 30 as part of a larger investigation into an espionage ring...

January 27, 2025 | Cleo Paskal |

Who’s afraid of China? Palau inauguration calls bluff of ‘friends to all, enemies to none’

For all the regional talk of “Pacific family” and “friends to all enemies to none” who did – and who didn’t – show up for the Jan. 16 inauguration of Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr....

January 26, 2025 | Cleo Paskal |

Deconstructing the Inauguration: No, not that one

We have a country that is geopolitically sophisticated, with close ties to the U.S., Japan and Taiwan, and is in a highly strategic location. So who showed up to Palau’s party, and who didn’t?

December 16, 2024 | Jack Burnham, Reece Breaux

China Conducts Major Military Exercises Around Taiwan 

In its largest military exercise in nearly three decades, China demonstrated its growing capacity to blockade Taiwan and project power throughout the First Island Chain of Pacific archipelagos that run...

November 21, 2024 | RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery |

Bolster U.S. Military

As a new administration is poised to take charge in January 2025, it will face a markedly different threat landscape than its predecessor. The United States and its allies now confront an axis of authoritarians...

November 2, 2024 | Cleo Paskal |

Palau is under attack from PRC

There is a spike in activity now because China sees Palau’s 5 November election as an opportunity to put in place representatives that are more in line with its ambitions.

November 2, 2024 | |

U.S. Marines Train with Mobile Air Defense Adapted from Iron Dome

The United States conducted a successful live-fire training of a transportable aerial defense system that includes components from Israel’s Iron Dome system.

November 1, 2024 | Nick Danby, Lewis Libby

How a modern Lend-Lease could help save the South China Sea

A modern US-Philippines Lend-Lease could be designated for joint civilian projects

October 18, 2024 | Craig Singleton, Reece Breaux

China’s Military Drills Around Taiwan Elicit Only Token U.S. Response

China launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan this week acting on the pretext that Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te made offensive remarks in a major speech. These latest drills reflect Beijing’s...

October 9, 2024 | Clifford D. May |

Atoning for Britain’s colonialist past

By encouraging China’s colonialist present

September 22, 2024 | Cleo Paskal |

‘Only strength can ensure peace’: Palau President Whipps Jr.

There is a lot going on in the Republic of Palau, a country of over 300 islands and around 20,000 people southeast of the Philippines. Its strategic location has meant Palau has been subject to waves of...

September 19, 2024 | |

November Ceasefire in Gaza Collapsed After Hamas Lied About Female Hostages

Israeli media reported on September 18 that the week-long ceasefire in November — which saw Hamas release 81 Israeli hostages — collapsed after the terrorist group relayed false...

September 11, 2024 | Will Selber, Bill Roggio

After 9/11, We Went to War Against the Terrorists. The Terrorists Won.

We retreated. They survived. And we’re deluding ourselves otherwise.

September 9, 2024 | Craig Singleton, Reece Breaux

Escalating South China Sea Tensions Demand Urgent U.S. Response

A series of recent maritime provocations between China and the Philippines near Sabina Shoal, a disputed atoll within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), have exacerbated Indo-Pacific tensions....

August 14, 2024 | Clifford D. May |

Taiwan, under the guns

The most powerful Communist regime ever threatens its democratic neighbor

August 7, 2024 | |

U.S. Charges Pakistani Man With Iran-Backed Plot to Assassinate Government Officials

The United States charged a Pakistani national with a thwarted Iran-backed plot to assassinate American government officials, the U.S. Justice Department disclosed on August 6. The...

August 2, 2024 | John Hardie |

Biden Administration Foreign Policy Tracker: August

Welcome back to the Biden Administration Foreign Policy Tracker. Once a month, we ask FDD’s experts and scholars to assess the administration’s foreign policy...

July 31, 2024 | |

U.S. Military Strikes Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq

Latest Developments U.S. forces conducted a self-defense airstrike against Iran-backed terrorists in Iraq on July 30, according to U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Washington...

July 21, 2024 | Cleo Paskal |

What could a Trump-Vance China policy look like?

Vance’s focus on China is not surprising. In his personal and professional life he’s seen the way People’s Republic of China actions have affected the lives of Americans.

July 17, 2024 | |

Iran Plots Assassination of Trump

Latest Developments Iran plotted to assassinate former President Donald Trump in recent weeks, U.S. authorities told CNN in a July 16 report. Unrelated to the failed assassination attempt against Trump...