US Army Bulks Up In Philippines To Face Rising China Threat

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – U.S. Army expanding presence in the Philippines as China threat looms. In the jungles, plains and mountains of Luzon, the Army is experimenting with 3D-printed drones, missile launchers and new operational maneuvers in a test of their ability to defend the Philippines’ largest island.

The drills come amid Manila’s concerns of a cross-strait conflict between Beijing and Taipei reaching Northern Luzon, located just 155 miles south of Taiwan.

While the Hawaii-based infantry division, also known by its nickname of “Tropic Lightning,” has frequently deployed to the Southeast Asian nation, the nature of its deployment has evolved amid regional tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea and Luzon Strait.

With Manila’s shift from internal to external security, American forces such as the 25th Infantry Division have prioritized territorial defense drills.

The Army recently highlighted the upcoming anti-ship potential of its High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, which will receive a variant of the Precision Strike Missile capable of targeting moving maritime targets up to 500 kilometers away, during Salaknib.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories ending the week from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEFING – the PDB:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has ended its experiment to create a heavy cargo seaplane, eyes new uses for the tech.

DARPA picks Bell Textron for new runway-less drone X-Plane, a new drone concept featuring folding props.

DOD wants killer unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), including “one-way attack” systems.

Promising Air Force Research Laboratory system designed to integrate drones into air traffic management systems at military installations could one day be installed at bases around the world.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Deep thinker rising through a shallow Pentagon. Elbridge Colby, a strategist who wants to focus America’s might on China, wields outsized clout in an administration increasingly short on expertise.

Trump administration has resumed sending some weapons to Ukraine, a week after DOD had directed that some deliveries be paused.

Trump administration has recently directed that a new wave of polygraphs be administered across the executive branch, aimed at uncovering leaks to the press.

House Armed Services Committee bill would require DOD to set up counter-drone defenses at a handful of military-related facilities inside the U.S.

Navy spouse is suing officials at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, alleging they censored him by banning him from their official government Facebook page.

Suburban Milwaukee businessman, former Navy SEAL and political newcomer entered Wisconsin’s race for governor Wednesday, likening himself to Trump and promising a “Wisconsin First” agenda.

US POWER OVERSEAS

U.S. nuclear-powered submarine’s historic visit to Iceland on Wednesday sends a powerful message to Russia that some of the Navy’s most formidable vessels are protecting the High North.

IRAN THREAT/MIDDLE EAST

Houthis claim first ship sinking this year in Red Sea attack.

Muted U.S. response to new Houthi strike after lull contrasts with previous firepower display. The U.S. military spent hundreds of millions of dollars earlier this year in a six-week barrage intended to stop the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen from targeting ships in the Red Sea.

The lesson of Israel’s success in the air. Its campaign against Iran was, in many ways, a throwback.

U.S. imposed sanctions on 22 companies in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey for their roles in helping sell Iranian oil.

After Iran’s war with Israel, questions return about Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s potential successors. He is 86 years old and was a potential Israeli target during the conflict.

Israel’s defense minister plans to relocate displaced Palestinians to restricted area in southern Gaza, saying he told the military to advance plans for what he called a “humanitarian city” built on the ruins of Rafah.

Iran’s oil minister criticized the effects of war-led disruptions to oil markets, weeks after Tehran’s 12-day hostilities with Israel sent crude price soaring.

CHINA THREAT

In April the Chinese government began to require pre-approval for exports of medium and heavy rare-earth elements. It is clear that this new export-license system is designed to increase Beijing’s leverage over DOD supply chains.

Trump administration will use executive action and work with state officials to ban sales of farmland nationwide to buyers linked to China and other foreign adversaries.

Japan starts deploying V-22 Osprey fleet at a new base in southwestern Japan with an eye on China.

Taiwan begins 10-day military drills to counter Chinese threats, including using so-called “gray zone tactics” deployed by China that stop just short of open warfare.

RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR

Russia fired more than 700 attack and decoy drones at Ukraine overnight, topping previous nightly barrages for the third time in two weeks as Moscow intensifies its aerial and ground assault.

Europe’s top human rights court delivered damning judgments against Russia in four cases brought by Kyiv and the Netherlands accusing Moscow of atrocities in Ukraine dating back more than a decade. And found Moscow was behind the downing Flight MH17.

SPACE THREAT

First Trump administration moved to relieve the Space Force of its burden to monitor and warn civilian space operators about potential space traffic hazards. But now, just as the Commerce Department’s new Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) program is nearly ready, the second Trump administration is looking to cancel it.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Sweeping tariffs set to be imposed by President Trump next month may overshadow his top diplomat’s first official trip to Asia this week — just as the U.S. seeks to boost relations with Indo-Pacific nations to counter China’s growing influence.

US MILITARY

Marine Corps told its recruiters to stop promoting an immigration program that provides temporary legal status to certain illegal alien family members of troops.

Marine Corps wants $58 million in fiscal 2026 to support the next phase of its collaborative combat aircraft initiative.

Air Force fighter pilots integrated two Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie drones into an aerial combat training exercise at Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base in what is described as “a major leap in human-machine teaming.”

Army aims to fast-track production of thousands of small, cheap drones that soldiers can use in the field within about two months.

END of PDB

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

READ NEXT: Ken Paxton’s Wife’s ‘Biblical’ Move Sends Shockwaves Through DC