Former senior U.S. diplomat Jim Carouso and I recently discussed historic April 11th Trilateral Summit between President Marcos of the Philippines, Prime Minister Kishida of Japan and President Biden of the United States.

We had as our guests Chris Johnstone, a long-time U.S. national security professional and the current Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC; and Victor "Dindo" Manhit, Founder and Managing Director of the Stratbase Group in Manila. They highlighted the importance of this new trilateral initiative in demonstrating a united front against China's assertiveness in the region. 

Here's a sneak preview:

Our discussion also highlighted the potential for increased military cooperation between the Philippines and Japan; the need for including economic incentives to strengthen the relationship; and remarked on the also-historic quadrilateral U.S.-Japan-Philippines-Australia patrol in the West Philippine Sea.

Our conversation wraps up by taking on the question of whether these efforts are sufficient to deter China's aggression.

You can watch the entire episode here:

Alternatively, if you are a podcast enthusiast like me, I encourage you to download the episode on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts). While you're there, subscribe and give us a nice review so you can help us get the word out!