Buchanan doesn’t get it.
I’m not saying the US shouldn’t terminate the alliance, but that he misses that the point of the alliance, on the part of the US, wasn’t really some sort of altruism or charity.
The Philippines is one of those place that you don’t want an enemy to hold. Its a negative value, a critical location that is fine in the hands of a friend but very dangerous in the hands of an enemy.
And that the problem of the South China Sea is the very reason that Duterte and, note, most military analysts in Manila doubt Washingtons value as an ally. Or for that matter Korea or Japans value as allies.
I like Pat. And I like this article, mostly.
However, there are a LOT of circumstances not covered. The 2012 US-drone-strike on targets in the Philippines, condemned by the PH congress back then: that’s one.
Another is the fact that “innocent passage” through the S China Sea is still allowed. It is US warships that China objects to.
Fishing is another issue in the disputes. China is NOT building bases in the S China Sea. (I have read both sides and I am pretty sure of that. However, I am open to new info on this.)
Lastly, PH is a sovereign nation and who knows what BS has been proposed or attempted or achieved by BHO and the World Bank, that we have not heard about. I thank that could be a MAJOR contributing factor in Duterte’s disgust with America: BHO. (”Son of a whore” is an accurate translation of what Duterte said. It means that Obama’s mom was for sale, and that Obama has no birthright. Huh.)
So, I have speculation. Duterte is in a leadership position in a country that is complex, and ready to grow. Like Taiwan (an economic freezone with deep ties to China), the Philippines could become a place of peace, law and order, freedom from crime and terrorism, and prosperity for its people.
Obama (or hillary!) leading the “war on terrorism” in the southern portion of the Philippines is a recipe for DISASTER!!
And manipulation by globalists is a recipe for bankruptcy.
JMHO.
I like Duterte so far. I have been watching PI fairly closely. He is smart. He is using China as leverage to get significantly more assistance from the U.S. So far the U.S. had just operated U.S. assets out of the Philippines. He wants his own assets.
He is really pissing off the liberals, so he must be on the right track.
And yes China has multiple bases on the disputed islands (world court ruled for the Philippines). Lots of potential natural gas and possibly oil in those islands. PI needs a source of cheap energy. They have had some interruptions in the coal they import.
ditto for China's grab of Korean and Japanese islands, or border area of India.
now that it is election year he wants a pivot to Asia for a photo op.
not to mention the SJW are pushing gay rights, which is not a problem here since gays are open...but they are doing this to destroy Christians so they can impose population control and abortion.
Duterte got into office through the same visceral loathing of the political elites that will elect Trump. And he is popular because he is doing exactly what he promised he would do. If Trump follows through on his promises (with the caveat that much of his agenda needs congress to cooperate) - he will be the most popular president since Reagan.