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Belt and Road to Bankruptcy

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) presented an ambitious plan to link Asia and Europe through infrastructure, gaining the buy-in of many countries. However, it soon became apparent that the loans associated with BRI led to debt traps for borrowing countries, strategically benefiting China. Critics dismissing debt trap diplomacy as a myth fail to acknowledge the control and gains China secures through these initiatives.

Chinese Weaponization of Global Trade

It appears that while conflicts are erupting across the globe, one hotspot remains after all of the dust settles – Taiwan. It is arguable that we will see a degree of resolution in the middle-east and even in Europe, it seems there are slivers of hope that a compromise can be reached in conflicts inContinue reading “Chinese Weaponization of Global Trade”

Manila Retracts Termination of VFA

On July 29, 2021, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held meetings with Senior Philippine Officials about geopolitical concerns in the region. Immediately following these talks, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte issued a statement that effectively retracts a termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which had been in place for the past 70 years. Old Friends,Continue reading “Manila Retracts Termination of VFA”

The Wuhan Nexus: Part III – The Genome

The COVID-19 GENOME In September 14, 2020, research paper was published by the Rule of Law Society and the Rule of Law Foundation, titled “Unusual Features of the SARS-CoV-2 Genome Suggesting Sophisticated Laboratory Modification Rather Than Natural Evolution and Delineation of Its Probable Synthetic Route.” The title itself sums up the findings of this publication.Continue reading “The Wuhan Nexus: Part III – The Genome”

The Wuhan Nexus: Part II – Genesis

Patient “Zero” The genesis of a pandemic most certainly rests with a “Patient Zero.” Again, utilizing very basic logic functions, one could conclude that there was an exact moment in time whereby the COVID-19 virus made the evolutionary jump from “bat” to human, the rest being history. However, what was widely reported by Chinese stateContinue reading “The Wuhan Nexus: Part II – Genesis”

The Wuhan Nexus: Part I

Revelations are slowly being injected into the bloodstream of many American media outlets concerning the origins of COVID-19. The media’s indifference towards what is otherwise a “smoking gun” is startling, considering the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It doesn’t take world-class investigative research to arrive at conclusions that point squarely at China. To date,Continue reading “The Wuhan Nexus: Part I”

Countering the NPA During a Pandemic

Armed social movements are capitalizing on the economic disaster resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the case despite the Philippine government’s increased offensives targeting groups, namely the New People’s Army (NPA). This social turbulence affords both sides an opportunity to win over the masses. However, with opportunity comes unprecedented risk of further distancing theContinue reading “Countering the NPA During a Pandemic”

Bangsamoro: A Failed State?

With little more than a year left in the Bangsamoro Transition period, this socio-political experiment appears to require a lot more than what was initially anticipated. Relatively unassuming news articles are popping in and out of the Philippine collective consciousness regarding the fragile state of compromise between the Bangsamoro and Manila. Its Official: Bangsamoro.gov.ph AContinue reading “Bangsamoro: A Failed State?”

Success or Blunder: An Examination of the Marawi Counterinsurgency Campaign

Four years ago, the siege of Marawi placed the barbarism of the Islamic State squarely in the backyard of the United States. As the engagement opened up, Marawi soon turned into the “Fallujah” of the Philippines. Having long since been extinguished, the “Marawi Problem” appears to have potential for resurgence, and may possibly serve asContinue reading “Success or Blunder: An Examination of the Marawi Counterinsurgency Campaign”

South China Sea – Peeling Back the Onion: The Chinese Maritime Militia

Over the course of the ongoing dispute over contested maritime interests in the South China Sea, China has continued to portray its vessels as innocent research or fishing boats. However, a wide trove of open source information exists on the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) and its purpose. China openly boasts a naval fleet of vesselsContinue reading “South China Sea – Peeling Back the Onion: The Chinese Maritime Militia”