Photos: US rebuilding military presence in Philippines
The United States is rebuilding its military might in the Philippines more than 30 years after it closed its bases there. Washington has been reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in which the perceived new threat is an increasingly belligerent China.
Philippines US Military
People pass by the cannon of Japanese cargo ship Oryoku Maru in honor of U.S. soldiers who died during its sinking, at the American Legion Post 4 just outside what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
A woman waits inside the American Legion Post 4 just outside what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
U.S. veteran Ray Slayton, post commander of the American Legion Post 4 gestures as he speaks to the Associated Press just outside what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
A staff member arranges banners beside the Philippine and U.S. flag at the American Legion Post 4 just outside what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
An old barber's chair sits inside the American Legion Post 4 near what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
People walk under street decorations inside what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
People enjoy the sunset inside what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
Trees and wild vines grow beside abandoned concrete structures called "Quonset huts" formerly used as barracks for U.S. Marines in what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
Trees and wild vines grow beside an abandoned concrete structure called "Quonset huts" formerly used as barracks for U.S. Marines in what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military Return
This photo shows abandoned concrete structures called "Quonset huts" formerly used as barracks for U.S. Marines in what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
Trees and weed grow outside an abandoned weapons storage structure in what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
Plants grow outside the metal door of an abandoned weapons storage structure in what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
A man on a jetski passes by the USNS Big Horn American supply ship docked near a shipyard in what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
The USNS John Ericsson American supply ship is docked in what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
A vintage passenger jeepney passes by a road just outside what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
A man on skateboard passes by a road just outside what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
Vehicles pass by one of the gates in what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
A sign stands on a quiet day in what used to be AmericaÅfs largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino gestures beside a Philippine and U.S. flag inside his office in what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
A man counts money at a currency exchange center just outside what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino gestures beside a U.S. flag inside his office in what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
Filipino businessman AJ Saliba gestures during an interview with the Associated Press just outside what used to be AmericaÅfs largest overseas naval base at Olongapo city, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippines US Military
FILE -Demonstrators shout slogans as they protest against the visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III who is in the country for talks about deploying U.S. forces and weapons in more Philippine military camps during a rally outside Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in metro Manila, Philippines on Feb. 2, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
Philippines US Military
Trees and wild vines almost cover an abandoned concrete structure called "Quonset huts" formerly used as barracks for U.S. Marines in what used to be America's largest overseas naval base at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines on Monday Feb. 6, 2023. The U.S. has been rebuilding its military might in the Philippines after more than 30 years and reinforcing an arc of military alliances in Asia in a starkly different post-Cold War era when the perceived new regional threat is an increasingly belligerent China. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
The United States is rebuilding its military might in the Philippines more than 30 years after it closed its bases there.
The Army is trying to recover from its worst recruiting year in decades, and officials say those recruiting woes are the result of traditional hurdles like fear of death or injury, as well as he stress of Army life.
Across the political spectrum there seems to be a consensus that the free flow of trade, money and technology from the U.S. to China must be fundamentally overhauled.
Many in Washington now think China is increasingly adopting propaganda tactics associated with Russia — and there's growing concern the U.S. isn't doing enough to respond.
Chinese President Xi Jinping accused Washington this week of trying to isolate his country and hold back its development.
Sen. Josh Hawley referenced Woody Guthrie last week when he sponsored a bill to prevent people associated with the Chinese Communist Party from owning U.S. farmland and called it the “This Land is Our Land Act.” But the family of one of America’s most revered folk singers wasn’t exactly thrilled.
China's leaders are seething at U.S. efforts to cut off access to technology to make advanced computer chips. They appear to be struggling to figure out how to retaliate without hurting their own ambitions in telecoms, artificial intelligence and other industries.
The conflict unfolded on Risk board game-style tabletop maps and markers under a giant gold chandelier in a House committee room.
When two Philippine coast guard vessels set out to patrol the volatile South China Sea recently, they had to face more than China's growing territorial ambitions. The patrols are a constant battle against sun, sea, stress and gnawing isolation.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China this weekend as part of the administration's push to repair deteriorating ties between Washington and Beijing, the State Department said Wednesday.
U.S. and Chinese officials say the United States and China have failed to overcome their most serious disagreements but were able to discuss them in a potentially constructive way and have agreed to continue talks.
After withdrawing from two huge U.S. military bases in the Philippines at the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, American forces are returning and building a new presence on Philippine bases under a 2014 defense pact to counter China's increasingly assertive actions.