Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts, representing Nebraska and serving as the second-ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, emphasized the significance of America's alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. In particular, he highlighted the strategic partnership with the Philippines as a deterrent against Communist China.

During a committee hearing titled "Shared Threats: Indo-Pacific Alliances and Burden Sharing in Today’s Geopolitical Environment," Ricketts remarked on the enduring alliance with the Philippines since the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. He stated, “Since the signing of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the Philippines has been one of our key allies in the Indo-Pacific. However, in recent years, the alliance has grown both more important and even more key as far as our strategic alignment."

Ricketts praised the Philippines for its resilience against Beijing's actions in disputed areas such as the South China Sea. He noted that despite being outmatched militarily and economically, "the Philippines has demonstrated incredible resolve in resisting Beijing’s unlawful aggression." The senator also mentioned that this alliance strengthens military capabilities through expanded access to Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) bases and nine strategic sites.

The hearing included testimonies from Victor Cha of CSIS, Oriana Skylar Mastro from Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, and Randy Shriver of Project 2049 Institute.