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Philippines [Updated June 11, 2020]
From the Overview: "The United States and the Republic of the Philippines have a deep relationship that includes a bilateral security alliance, extensive military cooperation, close people-topeople ties, and many shared strategic and economic interests. U.S. administration of the Philippines as a colonial territory (1898-1946), which followed 300 years of Spanish rule, also shaped the relationship. Since President Rodrigo Duterte was elected in 2016, his violent antidrug campaign and harassment of political opponents, human rights activists, journalists, and the media, as well as his distrust of the United States and rapprochement with China, have raised concerns among many U.S. policymakers. Among Filipinos, popular support for the U.S.-Philippines relationship is strong. [...] A 2018 Pew poll found that Filipinos prefer U.S. global leadership (77%) over that of China (12%)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Dolven, Ben
2020-06-11
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Pacific Islands: Policy Issues [February 2, 2017]
"The Pacific Islands region, also known as the South Pacific or Southwest Pacific, presents Congress with a diverse array of policy issues. It is a strategically important region with which the United States shares many interests with Australia and New Zealand. The region has attracted growing diplomatic and economic engagement from China, a potential competitor to the influence of the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Congress plays key roles in approving and overseeing the administration of the Compacts of Free Association that govern U.S. relations with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. The United States has economic interests in the region, particularly fishing, and provides about $38 million annually in bilateral and regional foreign assistance, not including Compact grant assistance. This report provides background on the Pacific Islands region and discusses related issues for Congress. It discusses U.S. relations with Pacific Island countries as well as the influence of other powers in the region, including Australia, China, and other external actors. It includes sections on U.S. foreign assistance to the region, the Compacts of Free Association, and issues related to climate change, which has impacted many Pacific Island countries. The report does not focus on U.S. territories in the Pacific, such as Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-
2017-02-02
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Human Rights in China and U.S. Policy: Issues for the 115th Congress [July 17, 2017]
"Human rights conditions in the People's Republic of China (PRC) long have been a central issue in U.S.-China relations. The two governments' different perceptions of human rights are an underlying source of mutual misunderstanding and mistrust. Frictions over human rights issues affect other issues in the bilateral relationship, including those related to economics and security. China's weak rule of law and restrictions on the Internet affect U.S. companies doing business in the PRC. People-to-people exchanges, particularly educational and academic ones, and collaboration among U.S. and PRC nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are hampered by periodic Chinese government campaigns against 'Western values' and restrictions on foreign NGOs, as well as on the freedoms of speech, association, and assembly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2017-07-17
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Human Rights in China [Updated January 13, 2021]
From the Document: "Over thirty years after the June 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, the Communist Party of China (CCP) remains firmly in power. The U.S. Department of State describes the People's Republic of China (PRC) as an 'authoritarian state.' PRC leaders have maintained political control through a mix of repression and responsiveness to some public preferences, delivering economic prosperity to many citizens, co-opting the middle and educated classes, and stoking nationalism to bolster CCP legitimacy. The party is particularly vigilant against unsanctioned collective activity among sensitive groups, such as religious groups and ethnic minorities, labor organizations, political dissidents, and human rights activists. The U.S. government employs various policy tools to support human rights in China (see 'Selected U.S. Policy Tools' below). Since 2019, the United States has imposed visa, economic, and trade-related sanctions and restrictions on some PRC officials and entities, particularly in response to reports of mass detentions and forced labor of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang province. These measures have been implemented pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930, Export Administration Regulations, and other authorities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Weber, Michael A.
2021-01-13
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Cambodia: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated January 28, 2019]
"U.S. relations with the Kingdom of Cambodia have become increasingly strained in recent years in light of Prime Minister Hun Sen's suppression of the political opposition and his growing embrace of the People's Republic of China (PRC). During the previous decade, U.S. engagement with the Kingdom slowly strengthened as Western countries continued to pressure Hun Sen to abide by democratic norms and institutions and as the U.S. government attempted to prevent Cambodia from falling too heavily under China's influence. Following strong performances by the opposition in the 2013 and 2017 elections, the Cambodian government banned the largest opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), in 2017. As a result, the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) ran virtually unopposed in the 2018 National Assembly election. The Trump Administration and Congress have imposed sanctions in order to pressure Hun Sen into restoring democratic rights and dropping criminal charges against opposition leaders."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2019-01-28
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Philippines [Updated August 5, 2019]
From the Overview: "The United States and the Republic of the Philippines maintain a deep relationship that includes a bilateral security alliance, extensive military cooperation, close people-to-people ties, and many shared strategic and economic interests. U.S. administration of the Philippines as a colonial territory (1898-1946), which followed 300 years of Spanish rule, also shaped the relationship. Bilateral relations have faced challenges under President Rodrigo Duterte, who has long held negative views of the United States. Elected in 2016, Duterte has pursued rapprochement with China and a violent extrajudicial antidrug campaign. Major areas of U.S.-Philippine cooperation, nonetheless, have continued."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dolven, Ben; Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2019-08-05
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Human Rights in China [June 4, 2019]
From the Document: "Thirty years after the June 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, the Communist Party of China (CCP) remains firmly in power. People's Republic of China (PRC) leaders have maintained political control through a mix of repression and responsiveness to some public preferences, delivering economic prosperity to many citizens, co-opting the middle and educated classes, and stoking nationalism to bolster CCP legitimacy. The party is particularly wary of unsanctioned collective activity related to sensitive groups, such as religious and labor groups, ethnic minorities, political dissidents, and human rights activists. PRC authorities have implemented particularly harsh policies against Tibetans, Uyghurs, and followers of the Falun Gong spiritual exercise."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Weber, Michael A.
2019-06-04
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War Legacy Issues in Southeast Asia: Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) [June 3, 2019]
From the Document: "More than 40 years after the end of the Vietnam War, unexploded ordnance (UXO) from numerous conflicts, but primarily dropped by U.S. forces over Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam during the Vietnam War, continues to cause casualties in those countries. Over the past 25 years, the United States has provided a total of over $400 million in assistance for UXO clearance and related activities in those three countries through the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of State (DOS), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as funding for treatment of victims through USAID and the Leahy War Victims fund. Although casualty numbers have dropped in recent years, no systematic assessment of affected areas has been done, and many observers believe it may still take decades to clear the affected areas. War legacy issues such as UXO clearance and victim assistance may raise important considerations for Congress as it addresses the impact of U.S. participation in conflicts around the world and how the United States should deal with the aftermath of such conflicts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Michael F.; Feickert, Andrew; Dolven, Ben . . .
2019-06-03
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Australia, the Southwest Pacific, and United States Interests [January 7, 2004]
From the Document: "The major U.S. interests in the Southwest Pacific are preventing the rise of terrorist threats, working with and maintaining the region's U.S. territories, commonwealths, and military bases (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Reagan Missile Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands), and enhancing U.S.-Australian cooperation in pursuing mutual political, economic, and strategic objectives in the area. The United States and Australia share common interests in countering transnational crime and preventing the infiltration of terrorist organizations in the Southwest Pacific, hedging against the growing influence of China, and promoting political stability and economic development. The United States has supported Australia's increasingly proactive stance and troop deployment in Pacific Island nations torn by political and civil strife such as East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Australia may play a greater strategic role in the region as the United States seeks to redeploy its Asia-Pacific force structure. This report will be updated as needed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-
2004-01-07
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Mongolia [Updated July 1, 2019]
From the Overview: "Mongolia is a landlocked nation of 3 million people between Russia and the People's Republic of China (PRC). It has been viewed as a democratic success story both among former Soviet satellite states and in Asia. In 1989, democratic activists staged protests against communist rule and formed the Mongolian Democratic Union. The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), which had ruled the country since 1921, allowed multiparty elections in 1990 and relinquished power in 1996, when a Democratic Party (DP)-led coalition of opposition forces won nationwide elections. Mongolia's foreign relations are driven by a desire to preserve its autonomy by balancing relations between major partners, including the United States, China, and Russia, and also Japan and South Korea. Its economy is supported by extensive mineral resources, but growth remains uneven, driven by fluctuations in mineral and petroleum prices."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Dolven, Ben
2019-07-01
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Philippines [Updated February 14, 2020]
From the Overview: "The United States and the Republic of the Philippines have maintained a deep relationship that has included a bilateral security alliance, extensive military cooperation, close people-to-people ties, and many shared strategic and economic interests. U.S. administration of the Philippines as a colonial territory (1898-1946), which followed 300 years of Spanish rule, also shaped the relationship. Since 2016, when President Rodrigo Duterte was elected, his violent antidrug campaign and harassment of political opponents, human rights activists, and journalists, as well as his distrust of the United States and rapprochement with China, has raised concerns among many U.S. policymakers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Dolven, Ben
2020-02-14
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Human Rights in China and U.S. Policy: Issues for the 116th Congress [October 9, 2019]
From the Document: "This report examines selected human rights issues in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and policy options for Congress. U.S. concern over human rights in China has been a central issue in U.S.-China relations, particularly since the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989. In recent years, human rights conditions in China have deteriorated, while bilateral tensions related to trade and security have increased, possibly creating both constraints and opportunities for U.S. policy on human rights."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Weber, Michael A.
2019-10-09
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Laos [Updated December 13, 2019]
From the Document: "The Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR or Laos) has a population of 7.2 million in a land-locked area around the size of Utah. Laos has been ruled by a single party, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, for more than four decades. The National Assembly, 73% of which consists of new members elected in 2016, reportedly has become more outspoken in recent years, particularly on the issue of official corruption. Laos is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the primary multilateral grouping in Southeast Asia. The LPDR depends heavily on foreign investment, much of it from the People's Republic of China (PRC), for its infrastructure development. Since a 1986 economic opening, Laos has gradually implemented market-based economic reforms, and in 2013 became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The economy has been growing steadily during the past decade, but Laos remains one of Asia's poorest nations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dolven, Ben; Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2019-12-13
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Mongolia [Updated December 19, 2019]
From the Overview: "Mongolia is a landlocked nation of 3 million people between Russia and the People's Republic of China (PRC). It has been viewed as a democratic success story both among former Soviet satellite states and in Asia. In 1989, democratic activists staged protests against communist rule and formed the Mongolian Democratic Union. The Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), which had ruled the country since 1921, allowed multiparty elections in 1990 and relinquished power in 1996, when a Democratic Party (DP)-led coalition of opposition forces won nationwide elections. Mongolia's foreign relations are driven by a desire to preserve its autonomy by balancing relations between major partners, including the United States, China, and Russia, and also Japan and South Korea. Its economy is supported by extensive mineral resources, but growth remains uneven, driven by fluctuations in mineral and petroleum prices."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Dolven, Ben
2019-12-19
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Human Rights in China [Updated April 6, 2020]
From the Document: "Over thirty years after the June 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, the Communist Party of China (CCP) remains firmly in power. People's Republic of China (PRC) leaders have maintained political control through a mix of repression and responsiveness to some public preferences, delivering economic prosperity to many citizens, co-opting the middle and educated classes, and stoking nationalism to bolster CCP legitimacy. The party is particularly wary of unsanctioned collective activity related to sensitive groups, such as religious and labor groups, ethnic minorities, political dissidents, and human rights activists. PRC authorities have implemented particularly harsh policies against Tibetans, Uyghurs, and followers of the Falun Gong spiritual exercise."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Weber, Michael A.
2020-04-06
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Uyghurs in China [Updated January 4, 2021]
From the Document: "Uyghurs (also spelled 'Uighurs') are a Muslim ethnic group living primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in the far northwest of the People's Republic of China (PRC). They have garnered the attention of U.S. policymakers, particularly since 2018 following reports of the mass internment of Uyghurs in 'reeducation' centers. The detentions are part of a PRC government effort to systematically transform the thought and behavior of Uyghurs and forcefully assimilate them into Chinese society, which some observers believe may result in the destruction of Uyghur culture and identity. The U.S. government has responded by implementing targeted restrictions on trade with Xinjiang and imposing visa and economic sanctions on some PRC officials. Uyghurs speak a Turkic language and practice a moderate form of Sunni Islam. The XUAR, often referred to simply as Xinjiang (pronounced 'SHIN-jyahng'), is a provincial-level administrative region which comprises about one-sixth of China's total land area and borders eight countries. The region is rich in minerals, produces over 80% of China's cotton, and has China's largest coal and natural gas reserves and a fifth of its oil reserves. The XUAR is a strategic region for the PRC's Belt and Road Initiative, which involves Chinese-backed infrastructure projects and energy development in neighboring Central and South Asia."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Weber, Michael A.
2021-01-04
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China's Engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean [Updated June 1, 2020]
From the Document: "As the People's Republic of China (PRC) has increased its engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean over nearly 20 years, U.S. policymakers have raised questions regarding potential implications for U.S. interests in the region. China's engagement with the region has grown significantly since 2001, particularly in terms of diplomatic and economic ties. This growth reflects China's increasing global 'soft power' efforts worldwide. A succession of Chinese leaders and other officials have visited the region to court governments. In turn, regional leaders and officials have been frequent visitors to China. The PRC has signed a variety of bilateral partnership agreements with several countries in the region, including 'strategic partnerships' with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Sullivan, Mark P.
2020-06-01
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What If the Philippines Ends the Visiting Forces Agreement? [March 17, 2020]
From the Document: "On February 10, 2020, the Government of the Philippines submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Manila a 'notice of termination' of the Philippines-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). The VFA governs the legal status of U.S. military forces operating in the Philippines and establishes rules by which U.S. troops, vessels and aircraft may enter the country. The notification started a 180-day review period; the agreement itself will expire at the end of that time. The VFA has been in effect since 1999, eight years after the Philippines rejected a treaty that would have extended the U.S. lease of Clark Air Base and Subic Bay Naval Base and ordered the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from the Philippines. The move raises uncertainties about the future of U.S.-Philippine military cooperation, an important part of the U.S. security posture in Asia. The Philippines is a U.S. treaty ally, and the termination of the VFA would not change that status. However, broad aspects of U.S.-Philippine cooperation, including military exercises and U.S. access to Philippine military facilities, could be made difficult or impossible without the legal protection of the VFA. This lack of cooperation could hinder U.S. initiatives to utilize the network of U.S. alliances in the region, to address tensions in the South China Sea, where the Philippines has long-standing disputes with China, and to conduct counterterrorism efforts in the southern Philippines. It also could affect U.S. humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions throughout the region."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dolven, Ben; Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2020-03-17
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Global Democracy and Human Rights Impacts of COVID-19: In Brief [June 26, 2020]
From the Introduction: "As governments worldwide administer lockdowns, travel limitations, and other restrictions to respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some experts have warned of a 'parallel epidemic' of government repression. Proponents of this view maintain that some governments are using the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to consolidate political power undemocratically or impose undue restrictions on the exercise of civil and political rights. Meanwhile, even when restrictions may be justified on the basis of public health, the manner of application and enforcement of these measures may raise human rights concerns in some cases. Some Members of Congress have expressed alarm over the implications of COVID-19 for democracy and human rights trends, as evidenced by statements and legislation introduced to date. At the same time, COVID-19's ramifications in this area are diverse and evolving. This In Brief report discusses key democracy and human rights concerns raised by experts and advocates, includes brief country case studies, and discusses potential congressional policy responses. Although some issues discussed herein may be relevant to domestic debates in the United States, this report focuses on democracy and human rights issues internationally and in relation to U.S. foreign policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Weber, Michael A.; Blackwood, Maria A.; Husted, Tomas F. . . .
2020-06-26
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Uyghurs in China [Updated June 22, 2020]
From the Document: "Uyghurs (also spelled 'Uighurs') are an ethnic group living primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in the People's Republic of China's (PRC's) far northwest. Uyghurs speak a Turkic language and practice a moderate form of Sunni Islam. The XUAR, often referred to simply as Xinjiang (pronounced 'SHIN-jyahng'), is a provincial-level administrative region which comprises about one-sixth of China's total land area and borders eight countries. The region is rich in minerals, produces over 80% of China's cotton, and has China's largest coal and natural gas reserves and a fifth of its oil reserves. The XUAR is a strategic region for the PRC's Belt and Road Initiative, which includes Chinese-backed infrastructure projects and energy development in neighboring Central and South Asia."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2020-06-22
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Uyghurs in China [Updated July 13, 2020]
From the Document: "Uyghurs (also spelled 'Uighurs') are an ethnic group living primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in the People's Republic of China's (PRC's) far northwest. Uyghurs speak a Turkic language and practice a moderate form of Sunni Islam. The XUAR, often referred to simply as Xinjiang (pronounced 'SHIN-jyahng'), is a provincial-level administrative region which comprises about one-sixth of China's total land area and borders eight countries. The region is rich in minerals, produces over 80% of China's cotton, and has China's largest coal and natural gas reserves and a fifth of its oil reserves. The XUAR is a strategic region for the PRC's Belt and Road Initiative, which includes Chinese-backed infrastructure projects and energy development in neighboring Central and South Asia."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Weber, Michael A.
2020-07-13
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Terrorism in Southeast Asia [Updated May 5, 2017]
From the Summary: "There are several factors that characterize the terrorism threat in Southeast Asia. The region's largest Muslim-majority nations, Indonesia and Malaysia, have long been known for moderate forms of Islam and the protection of religious diversity--policies that have widespread popular support but which raise resentments among small numbers of conservative actors. In other Southeast Asian countries with substantial Muslim populations, including the Philippines and Thailand, simmering resentments in Muslim-majority regions have been fed by perceived cultural and economic repression, leading to separatist movements that have posed threats to domestic groups--and in the case of the Philippines, to Western targets."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dolven, Ben; Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-; Chanlett-Avery, Emma . . .
2017-05-05
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Uyghurs in China [Updated October 5, 2020]
From the Document: "Uyghurs (also spelled 'Uighurs') are an ethnic group living primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in the People's Republic of China's (PRC's) far northwest. Uyghurs speak a Turkic language and practice a moderate form of Sunni Islam. The XUAR, often referred to simply as Xinjiang (pronounced 'SHIN-jyahng'), is a provincial-level administrative region which comprises about one-sixth of China's total land area and borders eight countries. The region is rich in minerals, produces over 80% of China's cotton, and has China's largest coal and natural gas reserves and a fifth of its oil reserves. The XUAR is a strategic region for the PRC's Belt and Road Initiative, which includes Chinese-backed infrastructure projects and energy development in neighboring Central and South Asia."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Weber, Michael A.
2020-10-05
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Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): U.S. and International Response to Philippines Disaster [Febrary 10, 2014]
"This report examines the impact of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which struck the central Philippines on November 8, 2013, and the U.S. and international response. Haiyan was one of the strongest typhoons to strike land on record. Over a 16 hour period, the 'super typhoon,' with a force equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane and sustained winds of up to 195 mph, directly swept through six provinces in the central Philippines. The disaster quickly created a humanitarian crisis. In some of the hardest hit areas, particularly in coastal communities in Leyte province and the southern tip of Eastern Samar, the storm knocked out power, telecommunications, and water supplies. The humanitarian relief operation was initially hampered by a number of significant obstacles, including a general lack of transportation, extremely limited communications systems, damaged infrastructure, and seriously disrupted government services. Despite the physical and logistical challenges, regular relief activities reportedly reached most of the worst-stricken areas within two weeks of the storm. Two and a half months after the typhoon struck, United Nations (U.N.) agencies reported that 14.1 million people had been affected, with more than 4.1 million displaced. Estimates of the number killed had risen to 6,201 with more than 1,785 missing. The number of injured was unknown. In addition, assessments revealed that an estimated 1.1 million houses had been damaged or destroyed and nearly 5.6 million people required food assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Margesson, Rhoda; Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2014-02-10
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Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): U.S. and International Response to Philippines Disaster [November 25, 2013]
"This report examines the impact of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which struck the central Philippines on November 8, 2013, and the U.S. and international response. Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) was one of the strongest typhoons (cyclones) to strike land on record. Over a 16 hour period, the 'super typhoon,' with a force equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane and sustained winds of up to 195 mph, directly swept through six provinces and affected over 10% of the nation's population of 105 million people. The areas damaged by the typhoon were some of the poorest parts of the Philippines. Congressional concerns related to the storm and its aftermath include the immediate U.S. and international humanitarian response, the impact on the U.S. foreign aid budget, the long-term U.S. foreign aid strategy for the Philippines, and how the U.S. response to the disaster may impact the U.S.-Philippines relationship as well as regional geopolitical dynamics. […] The involvement of U.S. military forces in Haiyan relief efforts has come at a time of growing U.S.-Philippine security cooperation. The United States and the Philippines maintain close ties stemming from the U.S. colonial period (1898-1946), a security alliance, and common strategic and economic interests. Other pillars of the bilateral bond include shared democratic values and extensive people-to-people contacts. U.S. military forces engage in regular joint exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The United States also has an ongoing, limited, nonpermanent military presence in the country engaged in counterterrorism and humanitarian activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-; Margesson, Rhoda
2013-11-25
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Republic of the Philippines and U.S. Interests [May 23, 2012]
"The United States and the Republic of the Philippines maintain close ties stemming from the U.S. colonial period (1898-1946), the bilateral security alliance, extensive military cooperation, and common strategic and economic interests. Although the United States closed its military bases in the Philippines in 1992, the two treaty allies have continued joint military activities related to counterterrorism and maritime security. The bilateral security relationship has gained prominence as a key link in the evolving U.S. foreign policy 'pivot' or 'rebalancing' toward Asia, and the two sides are discussing bolstering U.S. access to Philippine military facilities. […] Special Operations Task Force-Philippines--rotating units of approximately 600 U.S. military personnel. Philippine-U.S. counterterrorism efforts, along with development aid, have helped to significantly reduce the size and strength of the Abu Sayyaf Group, a violent, Philippines-based Islamist organization that has acted as a bridge between Southeast Asian terrorist networks and Muslim separatist insurgencies such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. […] In 2011, Chinese naval forces reportedly harassed Philippine fishing and oil exploration vessels and erected structures in disputed waters of the South China Sea near the Philippine island of Palawan. Philippine President Benigno Aquino responded in part by announcing increases in the country's military budget and welcoming increased security cooperation with the United States. The Philippine government has demanded that Beijing negotiate a code of conduct and settlement of claims with the principal regional body, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The U.S. government does not take a position on the territorial disputes, but supports a peaceful resolution that is based upon international law and involves a multilateral process. Washington also has promised greater military cooperation with, and assistance to, the Philippines, although no permanent U.S. bases are planned."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2012-05-23
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Selected Trump Administration Foreign Aid Priorities: A Wrap-Up [Updated January 21, 2021]
From the Summary: "Congressional interest in and support for U.S. foreign aid has remained consistent throughout numerous Administrations. The Trump Administration pursued changes to foreign aid funding and policy priorities consistent with its 'America First' foreign policy orientation, a stated desire to reduce federal spending, and with goals identified in its December 2017 National Security Strategy, including ending the need for foreign assistance. Some initiatives built on the work of previous Administrations, while others conflicted with, and in some instances sought to dismantle, long-standing U.S. programs and policies. The Trump Administration pursued some policies that would have substantially reshaped the vast majority of foreign aid programs. These included proposals to reduce or rescind foreign aid funding; to consolidate appropriations accounts; and to reorganize, consolidate, or eliminate selected foreign aid agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morgenstern, Emily M.; Brown, Nick M.; Blanchfield, Luisa . . .
2021-01-21
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Republic of the Philippines: Background and U.S. Relations [January 10, 2006]
"This report discusses key issues in U.S.-Philippine relations and developments in Philippine politics, economics, society, and foreign relations. Global terrorism concerns have brought the United States and the Republic of the Philippines (RP) closer together, but they also have produced some bilateral tensions and highlighted weaknesses in Philippine economic, political, and military institutions. The RP faces terrorist threats through alleged cooperation among three groups - Jeemah Islamiah (JI), the main Southeast Asian Islamic terrorist organization with ties to Al Qaeda; Abu Sayyaf, a small, violent Muslim separatist group which operates in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago in the southern Philippines; and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), an armed separatist group with alleged ties to both JI and Abu Sayyaf. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has strongly supported the U.S.-led war on terrorism. Since 2001, the Philippines has received the most dramatic increase in U.S. foreign assistance in the East Asia-Pacific region, particularly foreign military financing (FMF). In May 2003, the United States designated the Philippines as a Major Non-NATO Ally. Since 2002, joint U.S.-RP military exercises (Balikatan) have focused on counter-terrorism efforts. The Balikatan exercises of 2002, in which U.S. troops provided non-combat assistance, significantly reduced the strength of Abu Sayyaf. However, there is also evidence that Mindanao appears to be transforming into a significant base of regional operations for JI. Furthermore, the rise of the Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM), composed of Muslim converts from the northern Philippines, has the potential to expand the reach of Islamic terrorism to Manila and the main island of Luzon."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Niksch, Larry A.; Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2006-01-10
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Republic of the Philippines and U.S. Interests [January 3, 2011]
"The United States and the Republic of the Philippines maintain close ties based upon the U.S.- Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, the period of U.S. colonialization (1898-1946), common strategic and economic interests, and shared democratic values. The United States long maintained sizable naval and air force bases in the country. Although the Philippine Senate voted against U.S. wishes to close American military installations in 1992, bilateral security cooperation resumed following territorial disputes between the Philippines and China in 1994 and the launching of the Global War on Terrorism in 2002. After 2001, the Philippines received one of the most dramatic increases in U.S. foreign aid in Southeast Asia, largely for counterterrorism purposes, including not only military assistance but also health, education, and economic assistance in Muslim areas of Mindanao. In 2010, the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation approved a five-year, $434 million aid compact with the Philippine government focusing on taxation reform, poverty reduction, and infrastructure development."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2011-01-03
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Republic of the Philippines: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated August 10, 2007]
"This report discusses key issues in U.S.-Philippine relations and developments in Philippine politics, economics, society, and foreign relations. Global terrorism concerns have brought the United States and the Republic of the Philippines (RP), which has been designated a Major Non-NATO ally, closer together. However, they also have produced some bilateral tensions and highlighted weaknesses in Philippine economic, political, and military institutions. The RP faces terrorist threats through reported cooperation among three groups-Jeemah Islamiah (JI), the main Southeast Asian Islamic terrorist organization with ties to Al Qaeda; Abu Sayyaf, a small, violent Muslim separatist group which operates in the southern Philippines; and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), an armed separatist group with alleged ties to both JI and Abu Sayyaf. Since 2002, the Philippines and the United States have carried out joint military exercises on Mindanao and on Basilan and Jolo islands. The exercises on Basilan and Jolo, in which U.S. troops have provided non-combat assistance, have significantly reduced the strength of Abu Sayyaf and resulted in the deaths of some of its senior leaders. Nonetheless, Abu Sayyaf continues to operate through its growing cooperation with JI and some factions of the MILF. Furthermore, the rise of the Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM), composed of Muslim converts from the northern Philippines, and its cooperation with Abu Sayyaf and the MILF, has the potential to expand the reach of Islamic terrorism to Manila and the main island of Luzon."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Niksch, Larry A.; Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2007-08-10
