South China Sea Conference Recap with Ely Ratner

This week, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner delivers his remarks from our 14th Annual South China Sea Conference. Japhet and Lauren cover the latest from the region: from delays in Nusantara to updates on POGOs in the Philippines.

[@ThickBanana]

US-Philippines relations are in a Renaissance. However, it's a huge wild card to consider what a Sara Duterte presidency could mean for the alliance and resilience of the First Island Chain starting in 2028 - especially considering the timing and substance of the PLA's objectives through that time (and assuredly Chinese interests already pushing for the Dutertes in Filipino politics).