US tightens the military noose around China
30 January 2012
The bilateral talks between Washington and Manila on January 26 and 27 to negotiate the expansion of the US military presence and the deployment of US warships and surveillance aircraft in the Philippines are another step in the Obama administrations strategy of encircling China.
The discussions involve the greater use of military bases, including the hosting of American warships and the rotation of more US troops through the Philippines. While an agreement is not due to be finalised until March, the outline resembles a deal with Canberra, announced last November, to station US Marines in northern Australia and provide American access to Australian air and naval bases.
Well aware of strong public opposition in the Philippines to the US military presence, American and Philippine officials have tried to play down the talks. Nevertheless, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario confirmed last Friday that the two countries were exploring a rotating and more frequent presence by the US military. The US was forced to pull out of its huge Subic Bay naval base after the Philippine Senate, amid widespread popular opposition, voted in 1991 not to extend the lease.
Last week, the Washington Post reported not only on the Philippine-US military talks but also feelers the Obama administration has put out to other South East Asian countries, such as Vietnam and Thailand, about the potential for bolstering military partnerships. The US is in the process of strengthening alliances and strategic ties throughout Asiaincluding arrangements with Japan and South Korea, large arms sales to Taiwan, the stationing of new littoral combat ships in Singapore, and a key strategic partnership with India.
US tightens the military noose around China
30 January 2012
The bilateral talks between Washington and Manila on January 26 and 27 to negotiate the expansion of the US military presence and the deployment of US warships and surveillance aircraft in the Philippines are another step in the Obama administrations strategy of encircling China.
The discussions involve the greater use of military bases, including the hosting of American warships and the rotation of more US troops through the Philippines. While an agreement is not due to be finalised until March, the outline resembles a deal with Canberra, announced last November, to station US Marines in northern Australia and provide American access to Australian air and naval bases.
Well aware of strong public opposition in the Philippines to the US military presence, American and Philippine officials have tried to play down the talks. Nevertheless, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario confirmed last Friday that the two countries were exploring a rotating and more frequent presence by the US military. The US was forced to pull out of its huge Subic Bay naval base after the Philippine Senate, amid widespread popular opposition, voted in 1991 not to extend the lease.
Last week, the Washington Post reported not only on the Philippine-US military talks but also feelers the Obama administration has put out to other South East Asian countries, such as Vietnam and Thailand, about the potential for bolstering military partnerships. The US is in the process of strengthening alliances and strategic ties throughout Asiaincluding arrangements with Japan and South Korea, large arms sales to Taiwan, the stationing of new littoral combat ships in Singapore, and a key strategic partnership with India.
US tightens the military noose around China
