Read a summary of this teleconference.

A Situation Briefing teleconference on U.S.-Philippine relations following President Rodrigo Duterte's pivot to China.

After assuming the presidency in June 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has stirred significant controversy with his anti-United States rhetoric. Though the Philippines are a historically strong U.S. ally in the region, Duterte declared his "separation from the United States" and praised China during his recent visit there. "There are three of us against the world: China, Philippines, and Russia," he said. The next day he clarified those statements, saying he was advocating a "separation of foreign policy" rather than "a severance of ties." He has called President Obama and other U.S. officials offensive names, cancelled joint U.S.-Philippine military exercises, and said he may annul a 2014 defense pact that allows U.S. soldiers to deploy to the Philippines. 

What will Duterte's pivot away from the United States and towards China mean for the future of the U.S.-Philippine alliance? Is Duterte at odds with his military's leadership? How will this pivot affect the conflict in the South China Sea?

Listen to the full conversation below:

Featuring:

Ms. Shihoko Goto, Senior Associate for Northeast Asia, Wilson Center

Ms. Shihoko Goto is the senior Northeast Asia associate at the Woodrow Wilson Center's Asia Program, where she is responsible for research, programming, and publications on Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Read more.

Dr. Robert S. Ross, Professor of Political Science, Boston College; Associate, John King Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University

Dr. Robert S. Ross is a professor of political science at Boston College and an associate at the John King Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University. His research focuses on Chinese security policy and defense policy, East Asian security, and U.S.-China relations. Read more.

Moderator:

Mr. Alexandre Moore, Events Officer, Pacific Council on International Policy

Mr. Alex Moore is the Events Officer at the Pacific Council. Read more.