Philippines Moves Away from the US, Nudges Closer to China and Russia

Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte declared on Thursday that the Philippines would end joint military exercises with the United States. He would instead pursue closer ties with China and Russia. US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter insisted that the tie between the US and the Philippines is "ironclad." Duterte is displeased at US criticism toward his recent campaign against drugs in the country. But experts suggest that it's difficult to know whether this was just Duterte's suggestion or his final policy statement. Duterte's gesture is hurting US-Filipino relations, but how his words will act out on the ground in the Philippines and what it means for the US officers stationed in the Philippines remain unclear.

Nonetheless, it's clear that this announcement was a signal to China and Russia that the Philippines is willing to nudge closer to the other two authoritarian powers. This gesture paves the way for a possible visit to China and concession from China in the South China Sea, where China has built man-made islands, military installations, and airstrips for military planes. This article does not include China's response, which may not be wholly welcoming and may show a certain level of doubt.