The year 2015 brought into focus the need for the Philippines to come to terms with its position on the global geopolitical stage. It is reasonable to say that at no time since the darkest times of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union is the world more polarized than it is today.
Europe is still reeling from the civil war in Ukraine that has completely reshaped relations between Europe and Russia. The civil war in Syria—encouraged and fomented by the economic interests of Saudi Arabia/America and Iran/Russia—has changed the dynamics in the Middle East.
Asia has the potential to be a major global flash point because of the need of the US to reassert its influence in the region and China’s need to counter domestic problems with a show of its regional power. Japan not only has territorial and economic disputes with China, but also has domestic economic problems that have forced its government to try to show strength on the world stage.
Perhaps, the best stance of the Philippines would have been to “play both sides against the middle” but, instead, has cast its lot with the US in the hope that more military aid and investment would come from the Americans and to counter the problems with its relations with China.
The future of the Philippines lies neither with the US nor with the other “superpowers”but with our Southeast Asian neighbors, and that is what the next president is going to have to work toward.
Southeast Asia has the potential and probability of being the most important region in the world for decades to come, and the Philippines should be at the forefront of regional leadership.
The 10 nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) hold a population nearly as large as the US and the euro zone combined. The economic integration of these nations seemed completely unlikely.
The 625 million people of Asean speak 11 major languages and hundreds of minor languages and dialects. Unlike in the West, religion is more important to the people of Asean. All the major global religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam and Christianity—form a major part of the cultural life and even the politics of the region.
Ten countries with 10 different currencies managed by 10 central banks would seem also to make economic integration a problem. But, while outsiders question the diversity of the region as a liability, the Asean charter embraces the diversity as a benefit, and it is correct.
The Philippines must continue on the path of cooperation and even closer relations with our neighbors. Being Uncle Sam’s Asian stepchild is not an acceptable foreign policy for the Philippines in the 21st century.
However, Asean integration does hold economic and political risks. That is why the Philippines must not just be a participant. It must show Asean leadership.
The first state visits of the next president should not be to Washington, D.C., London, Tokyo or Beijing, but to Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
3 comments
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in my opinion your editorial is advocating a fence sitter position. playing the middle position, both sides is non- committal, neither black nor white, always tentative and unsure of your position and direction. foreign policy and relationships are the backbone of our integrity as a member of the international community. with your”best stance”’advocacy with regards to the aggressive position of china in the west philippine sea, we won’t have friends to help us counter the might china is posturing to have.