As a geopolitical expert, I would like to highlight the recent announcement made by the US Department of Defense (DOD) regarding the designation of four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Arrangement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines. This move is aimed at strengthening the interoperability of the US and Philippine Armed Forces, allowing them to respond more seamlessly to shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
It is important to note that the EDCA, which was signed in 2014, allows US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities without the right to permanent basing. The EDCA sites will serve as storage and warehouse facilities for military logistics, rather than American military bases.
The Philippines has named Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan as the four additional EDCA locations. The DOD has pledged to work closely with the Philippines’ Department of National Defense and its Armed Forces to pursue modernization projects at these locations.
Furthermore, the DOD intends to expand funding on top of the USD82 million already allocated towards infrastructure investments at the existing EDCA sites. These investments are expected to not only support alliance commitments but also spur economic growth and job opportunities in their respective provinces.
It is worth mentioning that this move comes ahead of the largest-ever military exercise scheduled between Filipino and American troops this month. Additionally, the Pentagon has announced that the United States and the Philippines have agreed to review the full range of their maritime cooperation in the upcoming 2 + 2 meeting in Washington DC this April.
Overall, the EDCA serves as a key pillar of the US-Philippines alliance, supporting combined training, exercises, and interoperability between Filipino and American forces. The recent designation of new EDCA sites is a significant step towards enhancing the defense capabilities of both nations and addressing shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
China’s rise in the Pacific
The Indo-Pacific region plays a crucial role in global trade, with more than 60 percent of the world’s maritime trade flowing through it. The region’s economic interests and future growth are intertwined with the freedom of navigation and free flow of trade. China’s meteoric rise in economic, technological, military, and political power has resulted in a seismic shift in the balance of power in the region. China’s recent aggressive actions have triggered concerns about the safety, security, and stability of the Indo-Pacific, leading to the revival of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and the announcement of a trilateral security pact (AUKUS). India, Japan, and Australia are emerging power centers and are viewed as balancing powers in the region.
The Indo-Pacific’s power struggle has taken on another dimension with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the West’s response. Closer ties between Beijing and Moscow may have serious implications in the future, especially given the ongoing global divide. Balancing its trade surplus with the US and relations with Russia will be a significant challenge for China. The Western world’s reluctance to intervene directly in the Ukrainian crisis may also embolden China. In this new geopolitical environment, India will have to tread cautiously and navigate the choppy waters carefully.
China’s sustained economic growth since the 1979 economic reforms has propelled it to become the world’s largest economy by purchasing power parity, and it is expected to surpass the US by nominal GDP by 2028. China’s position in the world order will continue to strengthen with its sustained economic growth, leading to a transition from unipolarity to a bipolar or multipolar world. Given China’s strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific, managing its rise in a tactful and belligerent environment will be crucial for the safety, security, and stability of the region.
READ: A looming war between the US and China
