Matteo Piasentini
@matpiasentini.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer | PhD student in International Relations @UP Diliman | Indo-Pacific | SEAsia | 🇵🇭 Foreign Policy
Pinned
What drives middle powers with different strategic objectives like #Italy, the #UK and #Japan to jointly develop military technology?
My and @Alice_DellEra ‘s year-long work on GCAP is now published for @intl_spectator !
Article available at: lnkd.in/dGQyrhbU
My and @Alice_DellEra ‘s year-long work on GCAP is now published for @intl_spectator !
Article available at: lnkd.in/dGQyrhbU
As observed by @AnielloIannone1 in his piece, in spite of the #Thailand-#Cambodia ceasefire brokered by #Malaysia, #ASEAN inability to prevent intra-members’ conflict is concerning
Security governance failures may be a driver for ASEAN centrifugal tendencies we’ve seen recently
Security governance failures may be a driver for ASEAN centrifugal tendencies we’ve seen recently
August 3, 2025 at 4:37 AM
As observed by @AnielloIannone1 in his piece, in spite of the #Thailand-#Cambodia ceasefire brokered by #Malaysia, #ASEAN inability to prevent intra-members’ conflict is concerning
Security governance failures may be a driver for ASEAN centrifugal tendencies we’ve seen recently
Security governance failures may be a driver for ASEAN centrifugal tendencies we’ve seen recently
“Then as now, our foreign policy remains the same: the #Philippines is a friend to all. The Philippines is an enemy to none”
It won’t be a #China pivot, but perhaps we will see a less combative BBM in the future.
stateofthenation.gov.ph/sona/2025/
It won’t be a #China pivot, but perhaps we will see a less combative BBM in the future.
stateofthenation.gov.ph/sona/2025/
July 28, 2025 at 12:18 PM
“Then as now, our foreign policy remains the same: the #Philippines is a friend to all. The Philippines is an enemy to none”
It won’t be a #China pivot, but perhaps we will see a less combative BBM in the future.
stateofthenation.gov.ph/sona/2025/
It won’t be a #China pivot, but perhaps we will see a less combative BBM in the future.
stateofthenation.gov.ph/sona/2025/
#US forcing #Indonesia to sign a prior neglected EEZ agreement as sign of commitment to the current maritime order may be an indicator on how great powers (especially the US) are increasingly intolerant with equidistant foreign policies in the region.
www.aspistrategist.org.au/it-looks-lik...
www.aspistrategist.org.au/it-looks-lik...
July 18, 2025 at 8:26 AM
#US forcing #Indonesia to sign a prior neglected EEZ agreement as sign of commitment to the current maritime order may be an indicator on how great powers (especially the US) are increasingly intolerant with equidistant foreign policies in the region.
www.aspistrategist.org.au/it-looks-lik...
www.aspistrategist.org.au/it-looks-lik...
The #US backs the Luzon Economic Corridor for the #Philippines pledged by Biden in 2024
Two takeaways
- Alignment for development is the way for engaging key partners
- The trilateral form of the agreement and #Japan's stake sustain the enterprise
lnkd.in/gcYikuH9
Two takeaways
- Alignment for development is the way for engaging key partners
- The trilateral form of the agreement and #Japan's stake sustain the enterprise
lnkd.in/gcYikuH9
May 9, 2025 at 7:22 AM
The #US backs the Luzon Economic Corridor for the #Philippines pledged by Biden in 2024
Two takeaways
- Alignment for development is the way for engaging key partners
- The trilateral form of the agreement and #Japan's stake sustain the enterprise
lnkd.in/gcYikuH9
Two takeaways
- Alignment for development is the way for engaging key partners
- The trilateral form of the agreement and #Japan's stake sustain the enterprise
lnkd.in/gcYikuH9
Excited to go back to Rome after many years as a member of this roundtable!
Topic: The stuff I love to talk about. Haha.
Topic: The stuff I love to talk about. Haha.
May 8, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Excited to go back to Rome after many years as a member of this roundtable!
Topic: The stuff I love to talk about. Haha.
Topic: The stuff I love to talk about. Haha.
For the #Philippines and #Vietnam, #Japan is a solid partner to cultivate a fallback position with.
lnkd.in/g6BgykPc
lnkd.in/g6BgykPc
May 3, 2025 at 8:49 AM
For the #Philippines and #Vietnam, #Japan is a solid partner to cultivate a fallback position with.
lnkd.in/g6BgykPc
lnkd.in/g6BgykPc
Manila’s counter-flag unfurling means that #China “won’t be able to claim that the #Philippines has tacitly acquiesced to its displays of sovereignty over the features,”
My take on the latest "battle of the flags" at Sandy Cay in Raissa Robles's latest article
Geopolitics Polisky
lnkd.in/gr74j9km
My take on the latest "battle of the flags" at Sandy Cay in Raissa Robles's latest article
Geopolitics Polisky
lnkd.in/gr74j9km
May 1, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Manila’s counter-flag unfurling means that #China “won’t be able to claim that the #Philippines has tacitly acquiesced to its displays of sovereignty over the features,”
My take on the latest "battle of the flags" at Sandy Cay in Raissa Robles's latest article
Geopolitics Polisky
lnkd.in/gr74j9km
My take on the latest "battle of the flags" at Sandy Cay in Raissa Robles's latest article
Geopolitics Polisky
lnkd.in/gr74j9km
If you want a magistral example on how Great Powers' influence spans locally, look no further than the #Philippines.
Glad to see this project by @ariesarugay.bsky.social Aletheia Kerygma B. Valenciano Edcel John A. Ibarra and Miguel Hermo being disseminated!
#Geopolitics #Polisky
lnkd.in/g4mxMRbq
Glad to see this project by @ariesarugay.bsky.social Aletheia Kerygma B. Valenciano Edcel John A. Ibarra and Miguel Hermo being disseminated!
#Geopolitics #Polisky
lnkd.in/g4mxMRbq
April 30, 2025 at 7:46 AM
If you want a magistral example on how Great Powers' influence spans locally, look no further than the #Philippines.
Glad to see this project by @ariesarugay.bsky.social Aletheia Kerygma B. Valenciano Edcel John A. Ibarra and Miguel Hermo being disseminated!
#Geopolitics #Polisky
lnkd.in/g4mxMRbq
Glad to see this project by @ariesarugay.bsky.social Aletheia Kerygma B. Valenciano Edcel John A. Ibarra and Miguel Hermo being disseminated!
#Geopolitics #Polisky
lnkd.in/g4mxMRbq
For the #Philippines, putting a flag on the rock of Sandy Cay is not just symbolic. It must show that there is no acquiescence to sovereignty claims by #China .
The risk is to be without proofs of sovereignty vs other states' claims in future arbitrations.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
The risk is to be without proofs of sovereignty vs other states' claims in future arbitrations.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
China and Philippines display competing flags on disputed South China Sea sandbank
Beijing and Manila accuse eachother of illegal activities around Sandy Cay near the Spratly Isles, as joint US-Filipino military drills get underway in region
www.theguardian.com
April 28, 2025 at 3:33 AM
For the #Philippines, putting a flag on the rock of Sandy Cay is not just symbolic. It must show that there is no acquiescence to sovereignty claims by #China .
The risk is to be without proofs of sovereignty vs other states' claims in future arbitrations.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
The risk is to be without proofs of sovereignty vs other states' claims in future arbitrations.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
It would be the interest of the #Philippines to keep a demarcation line between economic cooperation and maritime disputes with #China to pave the way for an improvement in relations. But It’ll require a cohesive vision on foreign policy.
lnkd.in/gNpTAnnz
lnkd.in/gNpTAnnz
April 27, 2025 at 1:26 PM
It would be the interest of the #Philippines to keep a demarcation line between economic cooperation and maritime disputes with #China to pave the way for an improvement in relations. But It’ll require a cohesive vision on foreign policy.
lnkd.in/gNpTAnnz
lnkd.in/gNpTAnnz
"Marcos Jr has demonstrated that striking a deal with #China is possible without being defeatist or fatalistic."
This is what #Philippines foreign policy should aim at, at a minimum. And this is also not emphasized too much in the public debate, regardless of the "faction" one sides with.
This is what #Philippines foreign policy should aim at, at a minimum. And this is also not emphasized too much in the public debate, regardless of the "faction" one sides with.
The Philippines navigates shifting political currents in the South China Sea
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and current President Marcos Jr’s differing South China Sea strategies reveal the intersection of domestic political rivalries and international security co...
eastasiaforum.org
April 25, 2025 at 10:52 AM
"Marcos Jr has demonstrated that striking a deal with #China is possible without being defeatist or fatalistic."
This is what #Philippines foreign policy should aim at, at a minimum. And this is also not emphasized too much in the public debate, regardless of the "faction" one sides with.
This is what #Philippines foreign policy should aim at, at a minimum. And this is also not emphasized too much in the public debate, regardless of the "faction" one sides with.
“The #Philippines wants more actors to have a stake in its security, which is instrumental in mitigating its fears of isolation and abandonment,”
My take on the #Balikatan 2025 in @samzbeltran.bsky.social latest article!
lnkd.in/gwGtnJvH
My take on the #Balikatan 2025 in @samzbeltran.bsky.social latest article!
lnkd.in/gwGtnJvH
April 24, 2025 at 6:09 AM
“The #Philippines wants more actors to have a stake in its security, which is instrumental in mitigating its fears of isolation and abandonment,”
My take on the #Balikatan 2025 in @samzbeltran.bsky.social latest article!
lnkd.in/gwGtnJvH
My take on the #Balikatan 2025 in @samzbeltran.bsky.social latest article!
lnkd.in/gwGtnJvH
#Philippines second BrahMos purchase is explained by the desire of keeping good ties with #India.
The cost is the purchase of a non-interoperable and Russian tech dependent system.
lnkd.in/g-Ypwu6t
The cost is the purchase of a non-interoperable and Russian tech dependent system.
lnkd.in/g-Ypwu6t
April 22, 2025 at 3:03 PM
#Philippines second BrahMos purchase is explained by the desire of keeping good ties with #India.
The cost is the purchase of a non-interoperable and Russian tech dependent system.
lnkd.in/g-Ypwu6t
The cost is the purchase of a non-interoperable and Russian tech dependent system.
lnkd.in/g-Ypwu6t
#Italy mega shipbuilder's offer arrives after a visit to the #Philippines by Italian Navy officers just a month ago. Such pattern was also seen in occasion of other big-ticket arms sales to other regional countries.
www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com/2025/04/finc...
www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com/2025/04/finc...
Fincantieri confirms offer of U212 NFS submarines to the Philippines
A U212 submarine of the Italian Navy. Photo c/o Fincantieri. Fincantieri press release dated 16 April 2025: Fincantieri and thyssenkrupp M...
www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com
April 19, 2025 at 4:19 AM
#Italy mega shipbuilder's offer arrives after a visit to the #Philippines by Italian Navy officers just a month ago. Such pattern was also seen in occasion of other big-ticket arms sales to other regional countries.
www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com/2025/04/finc...
www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com/2025/04/finc...
I’m proud to share that I’ve been selected as a Non-Resident Vasey Fellow at Pacific Forum!
I’ll be exploring what drives less powerful states to participate in #minilateral groupings—especially as a way to hedge against the risks of over-reliance on the #US.
Excited for this new adventure!
I’ll be exploring what drives less powerful states to participate in #minilateral groupings—especially as a way to hedge against the risks of over-reliance on the #US.
Excited for this new adventure!
April 17, 2025 at 4:16 AM
I’m proud to share that I’ve been selected as a Non-Resident Vasey Fellow at Pacific Forum!
I’ll be exploring what drives less powerful states to participate in #minilateral groupings—especially as a way to hedge against the risks of over-reliance on the #US.
Excited for this new adventure!
I’ll be exploring what drives less powerful states to participate in #minilateral groupings—especially as a way to hedge against the risks of over-reliance on the #US.
Excited for this new adventure!
“…milestone issues include […] whether the code should be legally binding — points that have repeatedly deadlocked negotiations.”
And I guess they’ll keep deadlocking them.
And I guess they’ll keep deadlocking them.
April 16, 2025 at 4:52 AM
“…milestone issues include […] whether the code should be legally binding — points that have repeatedly deadlocked negotiations.”
And I guess they’ll keep deadlocking them.
And I guess they’ll keep deadlocking them.
So proud of my co-author and Desk Coordinator
Alice Dell'Era for this podcast!
It is very exciting to see some of the arguments developed in our works emerging as useful tools to understand regional developments.
Mega job, and definitely recommended!! #Geopolitics
www.iiss.org/podcasts/jap...
Alice Dell'Era for this podcast!
It is very exciting to see some of the arguments developed in our works emerging as useful tools to understand regional developments.
Mega job, and definitely recommended!! #Geopolitics
www.iiss.org/podcasts/jap...
Japan’s role in Indo-Pacific minilateralism with Dr Bart Gaens, Tatsumi Yuki and Alice Dell’Era
Robert Ward hosts Dr Bart Gaens, Senior Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and Japan Chair at the International Centre for Defence and Security, Tatsumi Yuki, Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center, and Dr Alice Dell’Era, Assistant Professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. They discuss Japan’s role in Indo-Pacific minilateralism
www.iiss.org
April 15, 2025 at 7:20 AM
So proud of my co-author and Desk Coordinator
Alice Dell'Era for this podcast!
It is very exciting to see some of the arguments developed in our works emerging as useful tools to understand regional developments.
Mega job, and definitely recommended!! #Geopolitics
www.iiss.org/podcasts/jap...
Alice Dell'Era for this podcast!
It is very exciting to see some of the arguments developed in our works emerging as useful tools to understand regional developments.
Mega job, and definitely recommended!! #Geopolitics
www.iiss.org/podcasts/jap...
#ASEAN's credibility splintered way before the tariffs. The Association cry for a unitary response now against US tariffs, when other issues like the South China Sea have been sidelined multiple times in favor of bilateral negotiations.
www.scmp.com/week-asia/ec...
www.scmp.com/week-asia/ec...
Asean’s ‘illusion of solidarity’ splinters amid Trump’s tariff threats
While Malaysia calls for a united front, the reality is a race for bilateral deals, with Vietnam leading the charge – as China watches on.
www.scmp.com
April 14, 2025 at 2:41 PM
#ASEAN's credibility splintered way before the tariffs. The Association cry for a unitary response now against US tariffs, when other issues like the South China Sea have been sidelined multiple times in favor of bilateral negotiations.
www.scmp.com/week-asia/ec...
www.scmp.com/week-asia/ec...
The #US - #Philippines Joint Vision Statement on Defense Industrial cooperation confirms pre-existing #US preferences for new forms of economic assistance: special treatments in exchange of alignment.
April 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM
The #US - #Philippines Joint Vision Statement on Defense Industrial cooperation confirms pre-existing #US preferences for new forms of economic assistance: special treatments in exchange of alignment.
To #Taiwan or not to #Taiwan? Advocates of limited restraint suggest that the #Philippines should focus on the South China Sea and not on the north.
Conversely, the government position leans towards a direct involvement in a strait contingency.
news.usni.org/2025/04/02/p...
Conversely, the government position leans towards a direct involvement in a strait contingency.
news.usni.org/2025/04/02/p...
Philippine Armed Forces Chief Tells Troops to Prepare For Taiwan Invasion - USNI News
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Romeo Brawner told troops of Northern Luzon Command to prepare for a Taiwan invasion contingency, citing the repatriation of citizens and the...
news.usni.org
April 5, 2025 at 3:20 AM
To #Taiwan or not to #Taiwan? Advocates of limited restraint suggest that the #Philippines should focus on the South China Sea and not on the north.
Conversely, the government position leans towards a direct involvement in a strait contingency.
news.usni.org/2025/04/02/p...
Conversely, the government position leans towards a direct involvement in a strait contingency.
news.usni.org/2025/04/02/p...
#US may sell 20 F16s to the #Philippines via FMS.
The US declared that this won’t alter the balance of power
I disagree: sales of fighter jets do have an impact. That’s why this sale implies a specific alignment choice Manila has to make for the future
www.rappler.com/philippines/...
The US declared that this won’t alter the balance of power
I disagree: sales of fighter jets do have an impact. That’s why this sale implies a specific alignment choice Manila has to make for the future
www.rappler.com/philippines/...
US State Department OKs 'possible' sale of F-16s to the Philippines
(1st UPDATE) The Philippines’ ambassador to the US says the potential purchase — estimated to cost $5.58 billion — could ‘possibly’ be funded by both the Philippines’ modernization budget and a govern...
www.rappler.com
April 2, 2025 at 2:30 PM
#US may sell 20 F16s to the #Philippines via FMS.
The US declared that this won’t alter the balance of power
I disagree: sales of fighter jets do have an impact. That’s why this sale implies a specific alignment choice Manila has to make for the future
www.rappler.com/philippines/...
The US declared that this won’t alter the balance of power
I disagree: sales of fighter jets do have an impact. That’s why this sale implies a specific alignment choice Manila has to make for the future
www.rappler.com/philippines/...
#US and #Philippines issued a joint statement on defense industrial cooperation.
This is a relevant innovation in alliance relationships. Quite puzzling considered how the current administration is trying to pull off investments back to the #US from abroad.
news.usni.org/2025/03/28/s...
This is a relevant innovation in alliance relationships. Quite puzzling considered how the current administration is trying to pull off investments back to the #US from abroad.
news.usni.org/2025/03/28/s...
SECDEF Hegseth Announces Marine Anti-Ship Missile Deployment to Balikatan, Defense Industrial Base Cooperation with Manila in Philippines Visit - USNI News
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pledged anti-ship missile deployments, increased military training and defense industrial base cooperation to the Philippines under steps to “re-establish” deterrence...
news.usni.org
March 30, 2025 at 12:01 PM
#US and #Philippines issued a joint statement on defense industrial cooperation.
This is a relevant innovation in alliance relationships. Quite puzzling considered how the current administration is trying to pull off investments back to the #US from abroad.
news.usni.org/2025/03/28/s...
This is a relevant innovation in alliance relationships. Quite puzzling considered how the current administration is trying to pull off investments back to the #US from abroad.
news.usni.org/2025/03/28/s...
In an official visit, DOD Secretary #Hesgeth reaffirmed #US commitments in ensuring #Philippines defense, including the pledge of 500mln usd in military support advanced by his predecessor.
globalnation-inquirer-net.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/globalna...
globalnation-inquirer-net.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/globalna...
Hegseth: US deploying more advanced assets to PH for Balikatan
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits President Ferdinand Marcos at the Malacañang Palace on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Screenshot from RTVM Livestream)
MANILA, Philippines—The United States
globalnation-inquirer-net.cdn.ampproject.org
March 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
In an official visit, DOD Secretary #Hesgeth reaffirmed #US commitments in ensuring #Philippines defense, including the pledge of 500mln usd in military support advanced by his predecessor.
globalnation-inquirer-net.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/globalna...
globalnation-inquirer-net.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/globalna...
Flaming remarks from the #Philippines defense and law-enforcement on #China vessels blocking Filipino fishermen in Scarborough Shoal.
This incident is the first reported after weeks of relative calm. Few days before the arrival of new #US DOD secretary.
apnews.com/article/phil...
This incident is the first reported after weeks of relative calm. Few days before the arrival of new #US DOD secretary.
apnews.com/article/phil...
Philippine defense chief calls China's claims in the South China Sea 'the biggest fiction and lie'
The Philippine defense chief has called China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea as “the biggest fiction and lie” that no Southeast Asian country will accept.
apnews.com
March 25, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Flaming remarks from the #Philippines defense and law-enforcement on #China vessels blocking Filipino fishermen in Scarborough Shoal.
This incident is the first reported after weeks of relative calm. Few days before the arrival of new #US DOD secretary.
apnews.com/article/phil...
This incident is the first reported after weeks of relative calm. Few days before the arrival of new #US DOD secretary.
apnews.com/article/phil...
Excellent report by Alice Dell'Era and @pugliesasia.bsky.social on #Italy engagement in Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific!
The challenge for Italy is to maintain a balance between costly signals, like dispatching naval assets, and military- industrial gains.
Link:
cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/...
The challenge for Italy is to maintain a balance between costly signals, like dispatching naval assets, and military- industrial gains.
Link:
cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/...
Italy’s security engagement in Northeast Asia : drivers and outlook
cadmus.eui.eu
March 21, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Excellent report by Alice Dell'Era and @pugliesasia.bsky.social on #Italy engagement in Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific!
The challenge for Italy is to maintain a balance between costly signals, like dispatching naval assets, and military- industrial gains.
Link:
cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/...
The challenge for Italy is to maintain a balance between costly signals, like dispatching naval assets, and military- industrial gains.
Link:
cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/...