War Games in the Philippines: A Provocation with Consequences The recent Balikatan exercises in the Philippines, which drew over 17,000 soldiers from six countries including the US, have left a trail of unease among locals and analysts alike.
The sheer scale of the military display has sparked concerns that the country is being dragged into the crosshairs of great power rivalry between the US and China.
Critics argue that the Philippines' close alignment with Washington makes it a potential target in any future conflict, a notion reinforced by the recent war against Iran.