Philippines

Outweighing Communism: The Role of the Military in Land Reform

Riley.C.Murray — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 09:06:32 +0000

Outweighing Communism: The Role of the Military in Land Reform Riley.C.Murray Thu, 09/23/2021 - 5:06am

In 1952, U.S. officials approved the establishment of an international anticommunist movement for rural reconstruction in the Philippines. Central to this project was the issue of land reform. After a perceived success of development programs and subsequent surrender of the Hukbalahap insurgents, the U.S. abandoned its commitment to land reform.[1] However, land reform and its security implications have not been forgotten and are at work today.

Urban Warfare Project Podcast: The Battle of Marawi

Riley.C.Murray — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 20:58:34 +0000

Urban Warfare Project Podcast: The Battle of Marawi

Link: https://mwi.usma.edu/the-battle-of-marawi/

In this episode of the Urban Warfare Project Podcast, John Spencer is joined by Dr. Charles Knight. He is a senior lecturer in terrorism, asymmetric conflict, and urban operations at Charles Sturt University and a senior researcher at the University of New South Wales.

Dr. Knight has researched and and written about the 2017 Battle of Marawi, in which the Philippine Army fought against Islamic State fighters over the course of five months. With the two sides fighting through the streets, alleys, and buildings of Marawi, it was one of the biggest and most high-intensity urban battles of the modern era. In the conversation, Dr. Knight explains the context in which the battle must be understood, the phases through which the fighting progressed, and the types of tactics that characterized the battle.

Riley.C.Murray Fri, 03/05/2021 - 3:58pm

How the Philippines’ Withdrawal from its Security Pact with the US Could Threaten the Country and Region

SWJED — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 05:38:45 +0000

How the Philippines’ Withdrawal from its Security Pact with the US Could Threaten the Country and Region SWJED Fri, 02/21/2020 - 12:38am

While the termination of the VFA does not necessarily mean a complete end to cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, it does set a precedent that makes continued cooperation more doubtful. Certainly, the Philippines has the right to self-determination. But withdrawing from the VFA could have overwhelmingly negative consequences for the country itself as it grapples with insurgent forces. Additionally, these repercussions could be felt in the Asia-Pacific region as a whole by emboldening Chinese military activity in the region.

Moro Separatism in the Philippines: The Strategic Failure of a Promising Counterinsurgency

SWJED — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 04:44:07 +0000

Moro Separatism in the Philippines: The Strategic Failure of a Promising Counterinsurgency

COIN strategy in the Philippines has focused on tactical, reactionary successes against insurgent groups, and failed to build the appropriate political and economic capacity to effectively address the grievances of the local population. Without a coordinated, multi-faceted COIN strategy, incidents of violence will continue to occur on Mindanao as the population drifts further away from government control and into the influence of insurgent organizations.

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What to Expect in the New American ‘War on Terror’ in the Philippines

SWJED — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 19:08:54 +0000

What to Expect in the New American ‘War on Terror’ in the Philippines SWJED Wed, 02/28/2018 - 2:08pm

The U.S. military resumed its counterterrorism mission in the Philippines in September 2017. This new operation comes on the heels of the rise of ISIS-linked groups.

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Government Approaches to Islamic-Based Militant Radicalization in Southeast Asia

SWJED — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 16:46:35 +0000

Government Approaches to Islamic-Based Militant Radicalization in Southeast Asia SWJED Sun, 07/16/2017 - 12:46pm

Considered the “Islamic Fringe” by Muslim coreligionists, S.E. Asian Muslims embraced secular pursuits and have shunned the radical variants of Islam common in the Middle East.

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Strengthening Ties with Vietnam as a ‘South China Sea Ally’

SWJED — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 14:17:39 +0000

Strengthening Ties with Vietnam as a ‘South China Sea Ally’ SWJED Sun, 03/19/2017 - 10:17am

U.S. vital interests need to be addressed through strong relationships and alliances. The U.S. cannot be content to rely on past goodwill and must actively build and nurture its ties within the region.

COIN Lessons Ignored: The Philippines Campaign (1899-1902)

Peter J. Munson — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

COIN Lessons Ignored: The Philippines Campaign (1899-1902) Peter J. Munson Wed, 05/22/2013 - 3:30am

The Army has an unfortunate tradition of considering insurgent conflict a sideshow effort and relegating the study of insurgencies to the fringes of military science. The Philippines campaign is a prime example.

Succeeding in Afghanistan

Peter J. Munson — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:25:00 +0000

Succeeding in Afghanistan Peter J. Munson Fri, 04/26/2013 - 3:25am

If we ignore village life – or try to bend it to our view of what it should be – we will fail in Afghanistan as we did in Vietnam.

Of Groundhogs and Ground Combat

Peter J. Munson — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Of Groundhogs and Ground Combat Peter J. Munson Thu, 04/11/2013 - 3:30am

One consistently wrong—but always convenient—prediction has been the improbability of ground wars and the declining utility of ground forces.