When Obama's Foreign Policy is Correct, No One Notices

image
Author: David Yee
Published: 06 May, 2014
Updated: 14 Oct, 2022
2 min read

Last week, at the end of President Obama's Asian tour, the president was able to conclude the final touches on a mutual defense pact with the Philippines, a significant foreign policy victory for America.

Once an American colony (1898-1946), American presence in the Philippines in recent history has been cool at best. The last permanent military base on the Philippines was abandoned in 1992 after a fiery rejection of American military presence by the Filipino government.

Encroachment into the South China Sea by recent Chinese strategic alliances may have at least something to do with these new developments. The Philippines have been locked into various territorial disputes, primarily over Huangyan Island and Ren'ai Reef in the South China Sea, with mainland China.

This new 10-year defense pact gives the United States temporary, but almost unlimited access to air and naval bases within the Philippines. Key to gaining this access will be the base on the Batanes Islands -- which is historically a major bottleneck for all shipping traffic leaving China through the South China Sea.

The deal, however, did come short of unconditional military support -- like we have with Japan. While this has tarnished the popularity of the deal, support in the Philippines is still strong with over 85 percent having a favorable view of relations with the United States. As far as public support goes, the Philippines is our strongest ally in the Asian theatre.

Of course, the Chinese are not exactly happy about this move. The People's Daily News reports that these moves "make rational discussion over the issue at the diplomatic table 'much harder.'" Not exactly saber-rattling, but the message is clear that the Philippines has embraced the U.S. containment strategy regarding China's territorial claims.

Strategically, the United States is walking a fine line. Even though fears of China's expansion are growing in the area, resentment of American policies is keeping pace. We need more strengthening in our Asian strategy and more credit given when due to the president for advancing American interests abroad.

But then again, the Ukraine and Flight 370 are the only newsworthy things happening outside of the United States these days.

Photo Credit: AP Photo / Charles Dharapak

Latest articles

CA capitol building dome with flags.
Why is CA Senator Mike McGuire Trying to Kill the Legal Cannabis Industry?
California’s legal cannabis industry is under mounting pressure, and in early June, state lawmakers and the governor appeared poised to help. A bill to freeze the state’s cannabis excise tax at 15% sailed through the State Assembly with a unanimous 74-0 vote. The governor’s office backed the plan. And legal cannabis businesses, still struggling to compete with unregulated sellers and mounting operating costs, saw a glimmer of hope....
03 Jul, 2025
-
7 min read
I voted buttons
After First RCV Election, Charlottesville Voters Back the Reform: 'They Get It, They Like It, They Want to Do It Again'
A new survey out of Charlottesville, Virginia, shows overwhelming support for ranked choice voting (RCV) following the city’s first use of the system in its June Democratic primary for City Council. Conducted one week after the election, the results found that nearly 90% of respondents support continued use of RCV....
03 Jul, 2025
-
3 min read
Crowd in Time Square.
NYC Exit Survey: 96% of Voters Understood Their Ranked Choice Ballots
An exit poll conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of the nonprofit better elections group FairVote finds that ranked choice voting (RCV) continues to be supported by a vast majority of voters who find it simple, fair, and easy to use. The findings come in the wake of the city’s third use of RCV in its June 2025 primary elections....
01 Jul, 2025
-
6 min read