Hegseth dangles second Typhon missile system for Philippines - Asia Times

MANILA – US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to Manila brought a sigh of relief to his Filipino hosts and new cause for military concern in China.Top Philippine officials and strategists have fretted for months about potential disruptions and possible downgrades in strategic relations amid signs of an isolationist turn in Washington’s foreign policy under Donald Trump.Last month, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez publicly warned that his country should actively prepare for the day when it can no longer rely on its century-old American ally.The high-profile visit by the US defense chief, who will soon be followed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has likely put those strategic doubts somewhat to rest.During his courtesy call at the Malacañang Palace, Hagseth told Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr that President Trump sends his well wishes and “thinks very fondly of this great country.”Crucially, Hegseth underscored how both the US president and h...