Indo-Pacific 5x5: July 2nd 2025
'One theatre' for the East & South China Seas - Cambodia's Hun Sen vs Thailand - South Korea as a NATO partner - Philippines' Luzon Economic Corridor - Laos and the Mekong-Australia Partnership
Philippines says military leaders working to set-up 'one-theatre' approach in East, South China seas
"Gilberto Teodoro, the Philippines' Secretary of National Defense, said it was 'reasonable' to treat both the East and South China seas as a single area of operation, saying both are maritime areas with no land borders involved. However, he said the area should exclude the Korean Peninsula."
"Japan's Joint Operations Command is operationalising the single-theatre concept, and the 'Squad' grouping, which includes the defence ministers of Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the US, will establish a coordinating centre in December to enforce it, Teodoro said."
"On Monday, the Philippines and Lithuania signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen defence cooperation in areas like cyber security, maritime security and munitions production."
Why Did Hun Sen Call For Regime Change in Thailand?
"This will have repercussions for Phnom Penh. No foreign leader will trust the Hun family again with personal information. Diplomatic relations will be set back. Hun Sen’s standing in the region will be severely impacted. Moreover, the fact that Hun Manet hasn’t come out to distance himself from his father’s words, and the fact that Hun Sen has now seemingly taken back full control of government policy, make Hun Manet look weak..."
"Some more conspiratorial theories are also floating around. One is that Hun Sen wants to fast-track the demise of the Shinawatras over fear that their signature proposal to legalize gambling and casinos in Thailand would destroy Cambodia’s casino industry, thus depriving Cambodia’s elites of the backhanders and illicit money they garner from the industry."
"Another is that the Cambodian leadership and its networks are opposed to the Paetongtarn government’s crackdown on the illegal scam industry along the Myanmar and Cambodia border. By happenstance, a major Amnesty International report was released on June 26 that alleged that the Cambodian government is 'acquiescent' and 'complicit' in the abuses happening in the scam compounds. 'Scamming compounds are allowed to thrive and flourish by the Cambodian government,' it added."
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/why-did-hun-sen-call-for-regime-change-in-thailand/
Why NATO’s Future Depends on Strategic Partners Like South Korea
"South Korea’s military is one of the most advanced and experienced in Asia. Its interoperability with NATO member forces, particularly the United States and European partners such as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, has been demonstrated through joint naval exercises, air defense drills, and peacekeeping missions. This experience is crucial for enhancing NATO’s operational flexibility and preparedness. South Korea’s military also offers valuable lessons in countering asymmetric threats, such as ballistic missile defense, cyber warfare, and anti-submarine operations—capabilities that directly support NATO’s efforts to modernize its force posture in a contested global environment."
"Strategically, South Korea’s location offers NATO indirect access to the Indo-Pacific, a region central to future geopolitical stability. The Korean Peninsula remains one of the world’s most volatile flashpoints, with North Korea’s nuclear program posing a persistent threat. South Korea’s credible deterrence posture and strategic foresight help stabilize the region, limiting the scope for escalation that could entangle NATO indirectly. At the same time, South Korea’s ability to project maritime power, maintain regional partnerships, and participate in multinational security frameworks aligns with NATO’s efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific."
US, Japan put Philippine railway project back on track after China plans fall through
"The 212km (132-mile) Subic–Clark–Manila–Batangas (SCMB) Railway is now set to become the central spine of the Luzon Economic Corridor – a flagship initiative launched in April of last year by the US, Japan and the Philippines to enhance regional infrastructure and supply-chain connectivity."
"Both Clark and Subic were being used by the military, and the railway would link areas close to three key Philippine military installations: Camp O’Donnell in the neighbouring province of Tarlac; the biggest army camp, Fort Magsaysay, in Nueva Ecija province; and Basa Air Base in neighbouring Pampanga province."
"Under the newly proposed plan, the SCMB railway, which will mainly carry cargo, will be almost triple the length of the China-backed railway and will be extended to the port in Batangas and all the way to Manila."
Lao PDR, Australia, and ESCAP Launch LIFT 4 Laos to Boost Investment and Economic Resilience
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
"The AUD2.1 million program, funded through the Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP), aims to strengthen Lao PDR's capacity to attract high-quality foreign direct investment (FDI), promote sustainable economic development, increase resilience to external shocks, and enhance regional cooperation."
"LIFT 4 Laos builds on a portfolio of collaboration between ESCAP and the Government of Lao PDR, including the development and implementation of the ASEAN Regional Investment Promotion Action Plan, as well as the successful organisation of the ASEAN Investment Forum 2024 also funded by Australia, which took place in Vientiane during Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship."
"A key focus will be the development of a targeted investment promotion strategy and tools tailored to Lao PDR's priority sectors, including sustainable mining and critical minerals. By fostering stronger regional cooperation and aligning with ASEAN’s investment frameworks, the project will help position Lao PDR as a competitive investment destination within regional value chains."
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The daily print edition of Indo-Pacific 5x5 for July 1st 2025, and the print-ready download of Indo-Pacific Insight Weekly to June 28th 2025, are available via the links below.
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Disclaimer: Headlines, and content selections, presented here are taken directly from the referenced articles and online platforms, and do not reflect any personal value judgment, statement or opinion. I make no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or truthfulness of the content of these articles. All news and information presented should be carefully scrutinized, considering the credibility of each source, the documented or discernible facts, the statements presented, and the strength of supporting evidence. Readers should form their own conclusions through the application of informed critical analysis. In detail >