Article Link: https://apnews.com/article/us-army-typhon-missile-system-philippines-evans-423e116345a25bf85a33b15647441903
On October 21st, 2024, the United States played mid range missile systems in northern Philippines while also having a joint training between the two nations. The deployment of these missile systems come from the Biden administration in order to strengthen the ties between the US and the Philippines. These measures are in place in case of aggression shown by China. The conflict over the South China Sea between the China and the Philippines has prompted the Philippines to also further fortify and put more defenses along the northern side of the island country as it worries for it’s safety. The Chinese have repeatedly said it’s against the deployment of more US troop and weapons as earlier this year HIMARS and Typhon missile systems were given and placed in the Philippines. These missile systems allow for longer range missiles to be fired as well as tomahawk land attack missiles.
Between already looming tensions between China and the Philippines have been in place for years but the placement of more troops and missile systems make China fear more for their national security and safety. This could impact the region for a long time as most likely the two countries will not come to an agreement to who owns the waters. This could go further than these two countries as trade worth billions of dollars pass by every year through the South China Sea and the affects of fighting and military clashes that could happen would close the shipping route harming most countries in the world.
With the unlikely cooperation between China and the Philippines, both countries have two options, either to fight for the control of the territory or figure something out diplomatically which is highly unlikely as in the past months they have rammed each other with war ships and blamed each other. The conflict over the sea will most likely never be resolved and both nations will continue to poke at each other until something major happens. With the backing of the US, IGO’s become involved as NATO would step in, in the event of a major conflict between the nations. The treaties between the US and other nations such as Japan and South Korea would be enacted in order to fight China if needed. With using critical analysis the option that won’t be used would most likely be war, as both countries will suffer major consequences if a conflict occurs. Political IGO’s such as the EU might sanction China order to try and hurt the economy which would affect China and pressure them to back down.