Walden Bello

Walden Bello is senior analyst of the Bangkok-based institute Focus on the Global South and representative of Akbayan (Citizens’ Action Party) in the House of Representatives of the Philippines.

Duterte Does the Right Thing for a Change

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s termination of a key military pact with the United States, the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which governed the deployment of US troops in the country, has evoked varied responses. In some liberal and progressive circles, the move provoked trepidation owing to Duterte’s perceived closeness to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Others were … Continue reading “Duterte Does the Right Thing for a Change”

Duterte vs. Washington’s Cold War System

Just into his fourth month as head of state, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has managed to become one of the most controversial actors on the global stage, rivaling if not eclipsing Donald Trump. Not least there’s his war on drugs at home, which has already seen the extrajudicial executions of what some current … Continue reading “Duterte vs. Washington’s Cold War System”

Obama in Asia: Washington Extracts Rent-free Basing From the Philippines

As U.S. President Barack Obama descends on the Philippines, Manila and Washington are rushing to complete negotiations on an Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation (AEDC) between the two countries. The Philippines’ territorial disputes with China are one major reason for this new agreement. With Washington’s help, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III wants to make the … Continue reading “Obama in Asia: Washington Extracts Rent-free Basing From the Philippines”

Why al-Qaeda Won

With the 10th anniversary of the crime that was 9/11, the question inevitably crops up: Who won, the United States or al-Qaeda? According to the politically correct answer, although al-Qaeda has been decimated, it has been a Pyrrhic victory for Washington. In defeating al-Qaeda, the U.S. government engaged in many unnecessary violations of human rights … Continue reading “Why al-Qaeda Won”