The Obama Legacy in Asia – A Key U.S. Ally Aligns With China

Communist China is inexorably taking over the highly strategic South China Sea, using power projection to intimidate American allies no longer confident in U.S. might and President Obama’s willingness to use it in their defense.

Yesterday, Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte traveled to Beijing to renounce his country’s historic ties to the United States.  That mercurial, anti-American populist announced that “the U.S. has lost me” and stated his desire to align instead with not only China, but with Russia, as well.

It remains to be seen how Duterte’s “pivot” to embrace our adversaries and those of freedom-loving Filipinos will play at home. There is some talk of his impeachment, or even a military coup.

One thing is clear: We cannot afford to perpetuate the weakness, irresolution and unilateral disarmament that are emboldening our foes and prompting our erstwhile allies to appease, rather than resist, them.