U.S. and Philippine Armies to Strengthen Combat Readiness

Kaylee Everhart

Updated Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 6:30 AM CDT

U.S. and Philippine Armies to Strengthen Combat Readiness

In a strategic move aimed at boosting military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Army is set to conduct joint battlefield training with the Philippine army. This collaboration, involving approximately 2,000 troops from both nations, is scheduled for June in the northern Philippines and marks an effort by President Biden's administration to reinforce alliances in the region.

Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans, the commanding general of the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division, has underscored the significance of these drills, with a particular focus on logistical challenges in the tropical jungles and scattered islands. This initiative is a direct response to China's expanding influence in Asia and comes at the request of Manila, aiming to enhance combat readiness and professionalism among the forces.

The training will precede two larger joint exercises, Salaknib and Balikatan, the latter seeing participation from around 16,000 U.S. and Philippine personnel, with observers from Japan. While the upcoming June drills have been confirmed, there is still uncertainty regarding the possibility of them becoming an annual event.

Both the Biden administration and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have defended the necessity of the U.S. military presence in the region, highlighting its role in territorial defense and disaster response. However, China has voiced opposition to the increased American military activities, particularly in the Philippines, citing concerns over potential geopolitical tensions.

In a separate political development, former President Donald Trump addressed an assembly of the nation's wealthiest political donors at a private event in Palm Beach, Florida. Hosted at billionaire John Paulson's residence, the gathering raised a significant $50.5 million for Trump's campaign and allied groups. Trump's speech, which touched upon extending his 2017 tax cuts, met with criticism from President Biden who suggested these cuts favor the rich.

The 2017 tax cut, which provided reduced rates across various income brackets and benefits for pass-through businesses, is set to expire in 2025. Calls to extend these cuts, particularly the pass-through deduction, have raised concerns over the potential $700 billion loss in government revenue over a decade.

Notable figures such as Senator Tim Scott and businessmen like Vivek Ramaswamy and Harold Hamm were present at the event, which also featured remarks from Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, and Michael Whatley of the Republican National Committee. The lavish fundraiser, which nearly doubled the amount raised at a Biden gala, had Trump reiterating his belief that a political change is sought by people from diverse economic backgrounds. The evening concluded with an opulent dinner, epitomizing the grandeur of the support Trump continues to command within influential circles.

Conservative Bias:

In a valiant display of patriotic strategy, the U.S. Army, under the sagacious leadership of President Trump's successor, is finally taking a stand against the creeping red dragon of China by fortifying our military alliances with the freedom-loving Philippines. This is a clear-cut case of Americans and their allies rolling up their sleeves to protect liberty and democracy in the face of an authoritarian regime's aggressive expansion. Meanwhile, the liberal media and the Biden administration are conveniently silent on the colossal success of President Trump's fundraiser, which, unlike Biden's policies, actually respects hardworking Americans by aiming to preserve the tax cuts that spurred unprecedented economic growth. The left's criticism of these tax cuts is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to suffocate the American dream with their socialist tax hikes.

Liberal Bias:

In a desperate and bellicose move, the Biden administration is ramping up military tensions in the Indo-Pacific, potentially provoking China and risking escalation in a region that desperately needs diplomacy, not saber-rattling. This military posturing is a clear distraction from the real issues at home, where former President Trump, the poster child for crony capitalism, flaunts his opulence, raking in millions from the ultra-rich at the expense of the American people. Trump's tax cuts, a gift to the wealthy, are a stark reminder of how the conservatives prioritize the elite over the working class, with Biden's criticism standing as a lone voice of reason against this blatant cash grab that threatens to deepen inequality and undermine our democracy.

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