By Michael Vatikiotis When the government of the Philippines signed a landmark comprehensive peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last March, the United States joined the world in applauding and congratulating the parties. The U.S. State Department…
By Zachary Abuza The national outrage in the Philippines following the clash in Mamasapano that left 44 Special Action Force (SAF) police dead after an encounter with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has…
In this week’s episode we discuss the current state of U.S.-China military to military relations and crisis management mechanisms with CSIS Senior Adviser for Asia Bonnie Glaser. Then Dr. Zachary Abuza joins to analyze the Philippines police raid gone wrong…
By Zachary Abuza On January 25, a detachment of elite Philippine National Police forces tried to capture a known member of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah — Malaysian national Zulkifli bin Hir, aka Marwan. The police clashed with forces from…
By Michael Vatikiotis It has been a terrible year so far in terms of security in the Asia Pacific region. Japan and China have come close to trading blows over disputed Senkaku/ Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea; North Korea…
By Liam Hanlon The Philippines has a tumultuous relationship with its mining sector. Mining provides foreign investment, boosts GDP, and creates jobs that stimulate local economies, but also has a long track record of environmental catastrophes, violent conflict, and confrontations…
Who is he? Mohagher Iqbal is the chief negotiator for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), an Islamist group on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao that has waged a decades-long insurgency seeking independence. Iqbal negotiated with nine successive government…
By Zachary Abuza, Professor of Political Science, Simmons College Last Sunday’s spectacular raid in which Osama bin Laden was killed will have important implications for the future of al Qaeda. It will also have modest implications for regional affiliates, aspirants…
