International Development and Security Cooperation

Chester Cabalza, president of the Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said the shutdown of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in February 2025 had shaped military-driven missions like the Pacific Partnership “as an in-depth anchor of American soft power in the region”.

“The US Navy’s Pacific Partnership comes at a time as Washington flexes its soft power instrument for America’s renewed pivot to Southeast Asia,” Cabalza said, noting that the annual voyage “aims to counter China’s rising hard and soft powers in the region to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific”.

Cabalza described the effort as a “non-coercive mission” that “provides a depoliticised entry to the China-leaning region”.

“This oceanic navigation and naval diplomacy sustains enduring US presence without diplomatic friction and backlash from maritime Southeast Asian nations,” he said, calling the region the “geopolitical heart” of the Indo-Pacific as it was home to emerging economies and the world’s maritime chokepoints.

Aid and diplomacy: US Navy’s renewed bid for Southeast Asian influence Pacific Partnership 2026 aims to counter China’s rising influence in the region, amid growing doubts about US leadership, analysts say.

Asia gaining traction! Should be! Shining!

Hello again Asians, it's time!! Read 👇
the Recording Academy added a specific Asian music category for the 2027 awards.

The new category is officially named Best Asian Pop Music Performance.

Details of the Award

What it covers: It recognizes artistic excellence in performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets. This includes genres like K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop.

Language requirements: The recording must feature meaningful use of one or more Asian languages. Recordings performed entirely in English are not eligible.

Award recipients: The award is presented directly to the performing artist(s).

Other New Categories Added

Alongside the Asian Pop category, the Academy added four other new awards to broaden their global and genre reach:

Best Latin Song

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance

Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance

Best Traditional Folk Album