The United States and the Philippines entered an agreement whereby Washington can build new military bases. Tensions in the Pacific increase.
Slow and steady moves continue the Pacific Cold War between China and the United States. Both countries continue expanding their influence trying to avoid a frontal clash between each other, which would lead to an assured Third World War.
This time it’s America’s turn in this massive, imperialistic-level game of chess. On Thursday, Washington secured four new military bases in the Philippines, adding on the five they already had.
The Philippines are a nation-archipelago in the South China Sea. They lay north of Indonesia and East of Vietnam, and have always been a key strategic point for the United States in the region.
Indeed, the Philippines used to be part of the United States outright, serving as a vassal to the powerful Western nations for four decades. Then, after World War II, the United States granted them independence, though relationships between the two remained close. After the Cold War, however, American soldiers left the country.
The United States surely did not loosen their grip on the Philippines out of kindness. Especially not given the human rights violations perpetrated by American soldiers (15.000 Filipino children are today fatherless because of US occupation).
No, America set them free because, once the Cold War was over, there was no need for expensive military bases in the South Pacific. Most of the region (Japan, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan…) was already allied with Washington anyway.
Now, however, the situation has changed.
Between a rock and a hard place
The Philippines just started enjoying their renewed freedom when another imperialistic power came knocking at their door. This time, with no desire for freedom or national self-determination. This time, the imperialistic power wanted access to sea, land, trade and resources.
It was China, whose growth stunned the eyes of the Democratic west which, in turn, immediately deemed it a threat. China, with its newly created army, started an aggressive policy of expansion.
One of their main objectives was seizing the entirety of the South China Sea, a space shared by five sovereign countries, for themselves. And the Philippines were right in the middle of Chinese claims.
But the Philippines do not have the economy or the army to challenge China. Instead, they were forced to turn back to the United States.
Washington, closely observing Chinese expansion in the Pacific, could have none of it. For them, this was a direct threat to America’s global hegemony. Therefore, they increased their presence in the Pacific Ocean, including in the Philippines.
The agreement signed by both parties is not in any way similar to the Cold War one. However, it is a first, important stepping stone for American return on the islands.
China will most likely react to this agreement. The ball is now in their park.
