The United States and the Philippines are engaged in the largest military exercise ever. The exercise simulates, among other things, the liberation of an island, in which both the navy and the air force are involved. “It shows that the possibility of conflict in the region is only increasing,” says strategy analyst Paul van Hooft of the Center for Strategic Studies in The Hague.
The Balikatan exercise, Filipino for ‘shoulder to shoulder’, started last week and will continue for more than a week. About 17,000 soldiers participate. “The main purpose of the exercise is a message to China,” says Van Hooft. “It is a signal that America will continue to protect the Philippines, which is also the result of a defense treaty between the two countries.”
Conflict preparation
However, an exercise like this is not new, both countries’ militaries exercise every year. But this exercise is the largest ever, as was last year’s exercise. “It shows that preparedness for conflict in the region is only increasing.”
The Philippines plays a dual role here, says Van Hooft. The Philippines does not want to offend either country. They want to maintain good economic ties with China and at the same time depend on the United States for security.” In this respect, the Philippines is in a “difficult currency,” says Van Hooft. “Like many other countries in this region.”
“It is becoming more and more intense and the possibility of a conflict is also increasing”
Taiwan
At the same time, South Korea, Japan and America are also engaged in a military exercise. An American warship has crossed the Taiwan Strait. According to the Americans, this is also a regular exercise, but it is clear that the United States wants to indicate that it is a major player in the area. “It’s exactly what it is,” Van Hooft points out. “They want to protect an ally, they want to show that they will react sharply to provocations. But it is becoming more and more intense and the possibility of a conflict is also increasing.’
The question is how China will respond to the show of military force in the region. “China will say again that it is a provocation, while America repeats that it is a regular exercise. How exactly it will be understood is difficult to estimate
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
