The Return of the US-Philippines Special Relationship:Motivations,Implications and Constraints
The special relationship between the United States and the Philippines has been fluctuating within a spectrum between totally breaking down and strikingly strengthening up along with the evolution of the international landscape and regional situation.The rapid and strong return of the special relationship fully demonstrates its political,security,economic,and social connotations with specific characteristics.It also highlights the structural impacts of the comparatively fixed bilateral alliance framework and the two countries'long-standing domestic elements.The present re-emphasis of the strategic value of the Philippines by the United States and the"paradigm shift"in the Marcos administration's policies on the South China Sea are the main driving forces for the current high-profile return of special relationship,bringing more challenges to security and stability in Asia-Pacific.Nonetheless,endogenous constraints are gradually emerging.The possible changes in both countries'domestic politics,inherent alliance dilemmas and China's influence will restrict the development of US-Philippines special relations.
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维普
