WATCH: The UP Institute of Biology observed “a pile of sand and rubble” on 3 Pag-asa cays in the West Philippine Sea “that are atypical of naturally-formed coral or sandy barrier islands, indicating that these are possibly product of island-building activities.” | via…

The proper attire when discussing Philippine politics these days… 🥸📷 🇵🇭

When in Manila ☺️

2025: “WEST PHILIPPINE SEA” Warrior in Senate? Jay Tarriela

A few years ago, the US under Trump invoked the national security exemption to impose trade barriers on steel imports. But the most similar jurisprudence to Turkey's actions dates back to 1961.

US intelligence officials assess that Russia and China are working more closely together on military issues, including a potential invasion of Taiwan. bloomberg.com/news/articles/… via Bloomberg Politics

“Growing security assistance from the US and other like-minded Indo-Pacific powers has emboldened the Philippines to more proactively defend its sovereign rights in the South China Sea.”

asiatimes.com/2024/05/when-w…

While there has been tremendous growth in the economic, political, diplomatic and people-to-people ties between 🇮🇩🇨🇳, defence ties remain the weak link.

My take on why and how for ⁦IISS News⁩ Online Analysis👇🏻 iiss.org/online-analysi…

“Growing security assistance from the US and other like-minded Indo-Pacific powers has emboldened the Philippines to more proactively defend its sovereign rights in the South China Sea.”

asiatimes.com/2024/05/when-w…

A strong week on Interpreter - heaps of reader interest in the view of Richard Heydarian on joint military drills off Philippines, including for the first time outside the 12-nautical mile zone. Plus more! 🧵 lowyinstitute.org/the-interprete…

How on earth is SOUTH CHINA SEA - the world’s premiere trading maritime channel - a “local” issue!?? Even Mearsheimer types admit it can’t be abandoned to China 🤦

And still working on my “Kamayan” ☺️

American power won’t be a thing of the past but American leadership and influence will be. Power without purpose or principle is just playground bullying. What country, rich or poor, will look at this and see a better vision of the world projected, or their interests reflected?

“They are out there for the right reasons… they are out there not because they are ‘pro-Hamas.' They are out there because they are outraged by what the Israeli government is doing in Gaza.”

Bernie Sanders discusses the student anti-war protests sweeping colleges in America.…

“All Turkish exports and imports to and from Israel were suspended, Bloomberg reported, citing two Turkish officials familiar with the matter.”

al-monitor.com/originals/2024…

Our latest update on the Myanmar Conflict Map depicts recent battles critical to the China Myanmar Economic Corridor, in Rakhine and Chin States; as well as the key battles for Myawaddy on the Thai border, which Morgan Michaels details in the thread below.

‘Philippines is being pushed to the edge as China continues to injure its maritime personnel and damage its vessels. This week’s attack came just weeks after another incident at the Second Thomas Shoal that injured several Filipino servicemen.’

asiatimes.com/2024/05/when-w…