Philippines is very pro-US. But there’s an anti-US trigger: reminder of US abandonment at Mischief Reef & Scarborough Shoal & inaction vs China’s artificial island building. Also, Obama admin’s inclusion of Japan’s Senkaku Islands under MDT & not Phil territories was a betrayal.

Ko Wen-je’s spokesperson said after meeting the KMT deputy secretary general yesterday, “Hou-Ko” pair is not a choice for the TPP but all sides can still work towards “Ko-Hou” pair. This suggests Ko would only accept working with the KMT if he is the presidential candidate.

“Marcos Jr seems intent on enhancing the Philippines’ bargaining position and overall deterrence capabilities vis-à-vis China, while keeping communication channels with Beijing intact.”

asiatimes.com/2023/11/marcos…

Finally in-person catch up w/ fellow global affairs ‘aficionado’ & prolific security analyst Derek J. Grossman, who so kindly shared his precious time & great insights on Biden’s Asia policy and its discontents for our ONE News PH show “The View From Manila” ❤️🙏🇵🇭

Is it too late for Philippines in SCS? Interlocutors here are worried that China has fundamentally and irreversibly changed the status quo at sea through land reclamation, militarization, and constant swarming and patrols of disputed territories within Manila’s EEZ. Depressing.

Chinese FM at Arab and Muslim nation FM conference in Beijing: 'We are willing to work together with our brothers and sisters in Arab and Islamic countries to make unremitting efforts to settle the war in Gaza as soon as possible.'
aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/2…

'China is narrowing one of the biggest gaps separating US & Chinese militaries as it makes advances in its submarine technology & undersea detection capabilities, with major implications for American military planning for a potential conflict over Taiwan.' wsj.com/world/china/us…

🤯👀‼️ 'China has showed interest in atolls and shoals that are 'closer and closer' to the coast of the Philippines, with the nearest atoll about 60 nautical miles (111 kilometers) away.'

Marcos: “The situation has become more dire than it was before.”
apnews.com/article/ferdin…

Hearing a lot from Philippine interlocutors that US security commitment to defending de facto controlled territories in SCS is questionable, at best. Just look at Mischief Reef (1995), Scarborough Shoal (2012), and Chinese artificial island construction (2013-17). US did nothing.

Taiwan’s DPP nominee for president, William Lai, predictably selects former envoy to the US and close Tsai confidant Hsiao Bi-khim as his running mate.
reuters.com/world/asia-pac…

It truly is curtains for Taiwan’s KMT.

It's a 'Modi-Bibi Bromance.'

'Today, Indian and Israeli flags are displayed together at rallies demonstrating solidarity with Israel after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack.'
washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/…

China's Middle East peace plans. 'A delegation of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries will visit China this week to help find a solution to the war in the Gaza Strip.'
scmp.com/news/china/dip…

Maldives' new president formally requested that India withdraw its troops from Male, but Maldivian National Defence Forces carried out medical evacuations using Dornier aircraft and a helicopter provided by New Delhi. Oh well.
youtube.com/watch?v=FshPN5…

Remember Biden's warm summit with Xi at APEC last week? Well, this week Chinese warplanes continue to cross the median line into Taiwan's ADIZ while Chinese warships conduct combat readiness drills.
theguardian.com/world/2023/nov…

Marcos: 'I asked that we go back to the situation where both Chinese and Filipino fishermen were fishing together in these waters and so, I think the point was well taken by President Xi...I do not think anybody wants to go to war.”
globalnation.inquirer.net/222950/marcos-…

Good morning, Manila!

A few hours ago, China had some serious pep in its step because Taiwan’s China-friendly KMT was set to form a unity opposition ticket with TPP, elevating their chance to defeat DPP in January’s presidential election. Now, that plan is in shambles. Back to the drawing board.