Overview 1

Congressional Interests 2

Philippine Politics 4

U.S.-Philippine Relations 5

U.S. Foreign Assistance 7

The Philippines’ Defense Posture 9

U.S.-Philippines Defense Ties 11

Defense Agreements 11

U.S. Security Cooperation 14

Military Exercises 15

Counterterrorism Operations 16

U.S. Arms Transfers 17

The Philippine Economy 18

U.S.-Philippines Economic Relations 18

Philippines-China Relations 19

Tensions in the South China Sea 20

The Philippines and Taiwan 22

Human Rights Concerns in the Philippines 23

Considerations for Congress 24

Strategic Interests 24

The South China Sea Disputes and Maritime Domain Awareness 24

Human Rights Concerns 25

Counterterrorism Efforts 25

U.S.-Philippines Economic Relations 25

Selected Legislation in the 118th and 119th Congresses 26