The U.S. and the Philippines Race To Deepen Ties Before Potential Policy Shifts

A recent slew of U.S.-Philippine agreements indicates an effort by both governments to rapidly expand defense cooperation and further institutionalize their alliance before Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. The United States and the Philippines significantly deepened their defense alliance between Nov. 18 and 21 in a series of high-profile developments. On Nov. 18, the two countries signed a General Security of Military Information Agreement, or GSOMIA, which enables a substantial expansion of mechanisms for the secure exchange of classified information between the two countries, as well as for advanced U.S. defense technology. On the same day, the two countries also inaugurated the Combined Coordination Center in Manila, which is designed to enable real-time operational coordination, intelligence sharing and joint mission planning between their militaries. On Nov. 19, the United States then announced it would provide the Philippine Navy with an undisclosed number of unmanned surface vessels,...