The United States is becoming more involved in the fight against the Islamic State in the Philippines. Most recently, the U.S. military deployed MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones there to support counterterrorism efforts, according to a Sept. 11 statement issued by the U.S. Embassy. This is notable in light of early August leaks from U.S. Department of Defense officials that Washington was considering expanding its assistance against Islamic State-aligned militants in Marawi City and elsewhere in Mindanao to include direct airstrikes, possibly using drones. The announcement does not specify when the Gray Eagles were deployed, but their presence signals a deepening U.S. involvement in the country's domestic counterterrorism battle....
