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The Diplomat
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Diplomat
Philippine President Marcos to Meet with Trump in Washington
The Philippine leader is the first Southeast Asian leader to be invited to Washington by President Trump since the start of his second term. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will depart on Sunday on a state visit to the United States, during which he will fortify Manila's security alliance with the U.S. and finalize a deal on tariffs. In a statement from Washington, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said that Marcos would visit Washington, D.C. from July 2o t0 22, during which he will 'reaffirm the Philippines' commitment to its alliance with the U.S., explore opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation, and discuss regional and international issues of common concern,' GMA News Online reported. The trip was first announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during last week's ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur, and was subsequently confirmed by the Presidential Palace and the Department of Foreign Affairs. With the visit, Marcos will become the first Southeast Asian leader to be invited by Trump to Washington. It will also be his fifth visit to the country since taking office in mid-2022. These included visits to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2022, and two more visits in 2023, once for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, and the second for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. He then visited again to attend the inaugural U.S.-Philippines-Japan Trilateral Summit in April 2024. The visit also comes shortly after the Trump administration threatened to impose a 20 percent tariff on the country's imports, up from the initial 17 percent announced by Trump in April. Like many of its neighbors, Manila is rushing to broker a more advantageous deal prior to August 1, when the White House has said its tariffs will come into effect. Negotiations between the U.S. and the Philippines are reportedly ongoing, although Marcos' visit, coming a week before the tariff deadline, could well see the announcement of a final deal between the two allies. In his statement, Romualdez did not elaborate on what topics would be discussed, but in a separate comment to GMA News Online, said that 'sensitive matters will likely be discussed.' Aside from an in-person meeting with Trump, Marcos will have several engagements with senior U.S. officials and business leaders during his visit, the ambassador added. One issue that will almost certainly be on the agenda is the maritime and security cooperation between Washington and Manila, which has increased in recent years as a result of China's growing maritime power and ambition. During Marcos' three years in office, Beijing has increased the frequency and intensity of its incursions into Philippine-claimed waters, resulting in a string of dangerous encounters between the two nations' coast guards. As a result, the Philippines and the U.S. have increased their security cooperation, and expanded it with other similarly concerned nations, such as Japan and Australia. Under Marcos, the Philippines has opened more of its military facilities to a rotational U.S. presence under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, and increased military exercises and joint patrols. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have also reaffirmed that the U.S. will come to the Philippines' defense under the Mutual Defense Treaty if its forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. Most recently, earlier this week, the U.S. Embassy announced that the U.S. Navy will construct two facilities for the repair and maintenance of Philippine military vessels on Palawan, the Philippine island closest to the Philippine-claimed islands and features in the South China Sea.
United News of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Syrian forces withdraw from Druze-majority Suwayda province after large scale Israeli bombings
Damascus/Jerusalem, July 17 (UNI) Syrian forces have retreated from the Druze-majority province of Suwayda, following large scale airstrikes by Israel where the IDF bombed several areas of military and strategic significance, including a military target close to the Presidential Palace, the Defence Ministry headquarters, and the headquarters of the state-media, as well as various military installations in the province. The bombings have forced the Syrian army to withdraw from the flashpoint southern province, with Damascus stating that the Druze natives will be left to govern their own security, ending four days of deadly conflict between Druze fighters and state forces, reports Times of Israel. Calling the withdrawal a voluntary act to prevent more destruction and avoid war, the country's interim government President Ahmed al-Sharaa said, 'We sought to avoid dragging the country into a new, broader war that could derail it from its path to recovery from the devastating war … We chose the interests of Syrians over chaos and destruction.' In a national address, Sharaa condemned Israel for the attack, in particular its 'wide-scale targeting of civilian and government facilities', adding that the strikes were pushing 'matters to a large-scale escalation, except for the effective intervention of American, Arab and Turkish mediation, which saved the region from an unknown fate'. He also accused Jerusalem of trying to sow division within the nation. 'The Israeli entity, known for its repeated attempts to destabilise us and sow division, once again seeks to turn our land into a battlefield of chaos and to dismantle the fabric of our people.' Sharaa further vowed that those behind violence against the Druze minority, which led Israel to intervene, would be held responsible. 'We are keen on holding accountable those who transgressed and abused our Druze people, as they are under the protection and responsibility of the state,' Sharaa said. The Syrian leader told the Druze community it was 'a fundamental part of the fabric of this nation… protecting your rights and freedom is one of our priorities.' Israel for its part has maintained that it will take whatever action necessary to protect the Syrian Druze community, further calling the new regime a barely disguised jihadist, and has vowed to not let them move forces into southern Syria.
LBCI
17-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
President Aoun pledges justice for Beirut blast victims, vows accountability
President Joseph Aoun affirmed that Lebanon will spare no effort in building a state that respects the rights of its citizens and protects their lives, vowing that the Beirut Port explosion would serve as a lesson for a better future. His remarks came during a meeting at the Presidential Palace on Thursday with a delegation of families of the Beirut blast victims. Speaking on behalf of the group, William Noun thanked the president for receiving them. He stressed that there is no division among the victims' families. President Aoun welcomed the delegation and expressed his full solidarity with the families, describing his deep sorrow for their loss. 'The responsibility falls on all of us to ensure justice,' he said. He concluded: 'From now on, justice will take its course. The guilty will be held accountable, and the innocent will be cleared.'
Arab News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Massive demonstrations in Aleppo in rejection of foreign intervention in Syria's internal affairs
PHOTOS BY SANA Israel's airstrikes blew up part of Syria's defense ministry and hit near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria and demanded they withdraw. People took to the streets of Aleppo in rejection of foreign intervention in Syria's internal affairs.
LBCI
16-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Syria says Israeli strikes on Damascus, south a 'dangerous escalation'
Syria said Israeli strikes on Wednesday were a "dangerous escalation" following raids near the presidential palace and on army headquarters in the capital, as well as in the country's violence-hit south. "Syria holds Israel fully responsible for this dangerous escalation and its consequences, and affirms that it retains all its legitimate rights to defend its land and people by all means permitted under international law," the foreign ministry said in a statement. It also called on the international community to "take urgent, concrete measures to put an end to Israel's repeated acts of aggression". AFP
