Philippines Grants US Access to More Military Bases to Counter China
AllSides Summary
The Philippines agreed to allow the U.S. to substantially expand its military presence in the country, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday.
The Details: U.S. forces will be allowed access to four more Philippine military bases, adding to the five they already had access to under a 2014 agreement. That agreement did not allow the U.S. to establish permanent bases, and Austin stressed on Thursday that the U.S. was “not seeking a permanent basing.” Instead, he said the aim was to increase military “effectiveness” and “interoperability.”
For Context: The move was generally described as countering China’s influence in the region. This continues a trend of rising U.S. military involvement in the region, including the formation of the Indo-Pacific Quadrilateral Dialogue (also called the Quad) between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, as well as AUKUS, an agreement to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines. On Tuesday, the U.S. and South Korea said they would step up joint military exercises, and in December, Japan approved its largest military buildup since WWII.
How the Media Covered It: Coverage was common and nonpartisan across the spectrum, with both right and left-rated outlets covering the announcement, the geopolitical context, and Filipinos who protested against U.S. military involvement.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
‘A big deal’: US, Philippines tighten military ties
The Philippines said Thursday it was allowing U.S. forces to broaden their footprint in the Southeast Asian nation, the latest Biden administration move strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China, including in any future confrontation over Taiwan.
Thursday’s agreement, which gives U.S. forces access to four more military camps, was announced during a visit by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. He has led efforts to reinforce regional security partnerships and update the arming and positioning of American and allied forces in Asia in...
From the Right
US gains access to key bases in the Philippines, bolstering ability to monitor China
The United States has secured access to four more military bases in the Philippines , allowing for extra support for its allies in the region and increasing Washington's ability to monitor China .
With access to the bases in the Philippines, the U.S. is much closer to Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea, shoring up its defense and reconnaissance in the region. Washington has already had alliances enabling its stretch from South Korea and Japan in the north to Australia in the south.
From the Center
PH gives US more access to bases
The United States and the Philippines announced a deal Thursday to give US troops access to four more local military bases.
The agreement to expand cooperation in "strategic areas of the country" was made during a visit by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin 3rd.
It comes as the countries seek to repair ties that were fractured in recent years — previous president Rodrigo Duterte favored China over the US, but the new administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been keen to reverse that.
Beijing's growing assertiveness on Taiwan and its building...
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