17 February 2020
- RSIS
- Media Mentions
- US’ Military Pullout From S-E Asia Unlikely: Analysts
US’ Military Pullout From S-E Asia Unlikely: Analysts
The move by the Philippines to end the longstanding 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States would likely mean a reduced military presence in the region, but is unlikely to lead to a complete pullout, as US ties to South-east Asia remain extensive. Dr Collin Koh from NTU’s RSIS said the loss of the VFA means US military personnel will be subject to immigration procedures that foreign visitors usually undergo. However, RSIS professor of international relations Tan See Seng said the US is strategically and militarily connected to South-east Asia in “extensive and deep ways” beyond the VFA – for instance, through the annual Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus or military exercises such as Cobra Gold.
RSIS / Online
Last updated on 18/02/2020
