Counter China ! U.S. Military Drills in the Philippines Will Continue (Feb. 14, 2024)

Combat exercises between the United States and the Philippines involving thousands of forces each year will not be affected by America’s focus on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The Biden administration has been strengthening an arc of military alliances in the IndoPacific region to build deterrence and to better counter China, including in any future confrontation over Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea. But there have been concerns that the war in Ukraine conflict could hamper America’s pivot to Asia and the Pacific and divert military resources intended for the region. this year’s Salaknib and Balikatan exercises, which would include jungle training, “remains consistent with last year.” After the exercises, a contingent from a Hawaiibased combat readiness center would take part for the first time in a “very focused evaluation exercise” to assess the ability of the allied forces to operate together.