U.S., Philippine and allied forces begin annual Balikatan military exercises
The Facts
- The annual Balikatan military exercises began on Monday in the Philippines.
- More than 17,000 troops are participating in this year's Balikatan exercises.
- The exercises are scheduled to run from April 20 to May 8, lasting 19 days or nearly three weeks.
- This year's drills include live-fire exercises and maritime and air operations.
- Some exercise locations are in northern parts of the Philippines near Taiwan, while others are in areas facing the South China Sea.
- Japan is participating as an active or full participant for the first time in Balikatan.
- Other partner countries involved in this year's exercises include Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand.
Context
What is Balikatan?
Balikatan is the annual joint military exercise of the United States and the Philippines; the name means "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Tagalog U.S. News & World R…,U.S. News & World R….
Why are the exercise locations drawing attention?
The drills include sites in northern Philippine areas near Taiwan and in areas facing the South China Sea, both of which are sensitive regional flashpoints U.S. News & World R…,N-tv,Owensboro Messenger….
Which countries besides the U.S. and the Philippines are taking part?
Sources say Japan, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand are participating in this year's exercises, with Japan joining as an active participant for the first time U.S. News & World R…,ZEIT ONLINE,U.S. News & World R….
How left and right read it
Left says
The scale of this year’s Balikatan exercises — more than 17,000 troops over nearly three weeks, including live-fire and maritime and air operations — shows how much the regional security climate has intensified. With drills near Taiwan and the South China Sea and Japan joining as a full participant for the first time, the story is about a widening network of allies trying to manage growing risk.
Is this how the left would actually put it?
Right says
Balikatan’s size and scope this year signal a serious effort to strengthen deterrence and readiness with allies in a contested region. More than 17,000 troops are taking part in live-fire, maritime and air operations, including in areas near Taiwan and the South China Sea, while Japan’s first full participation alongside Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand reflects deeper security cooperation.
Is this how the right would actually put it?
The receipts — 95 sources
Wire services (14)
Independent coverage (81)
The Jerusalem PostPhilippines, US launch drills near Taiwan, test readiness un...
onvista.deROUNDUP: Philippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militä...
Daily MaverickPhilippines, US and allies start military exercises testing ...
Hong Kong Free Press HKFPChina warns US, Japan, Philippines against 'playing with fir...
Modern DiplomacyPhilippines, US and Allies Launch Largest Ever Balikatan Dri...
DevdiscourseUPDATE 1-Philippines, US and allies start military exercises...
english.news.cnPhilippines, U.S. joint military drills kick off amid energy...
DevdiscourseCORRECTED-Philippines, US and allies start military exercise...
Gulf Daily News OnlinePhilippines, US and allies start military exercises testing ...
ThePrintPhilippines, US and allies start military exercises testing ...
defence24.comManeuvers near the South China Sea. Beijing responds
DevdiscoursePhilippines, US and allies start military exercises testing ...
Senego.com - Actualité au Sénégal, toute actualité du jourExercices Balikatan : le nombre de soldats dépêchés par les ...
Economic TimesUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
La RazónChina arremete contra las maniobras navales de EEUU en Filip...
The New Indian ExpressUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games as West Asia ...
marine-oceans.comLes Etats-Unis et les Philippines débutent leurs manoeuvres ...
경향신문Amid China-Japan tensions, the 'Balikatan exercise' begins i...
Daily Mail OnlineUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
Owensboro Messenger-InquirerUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
RTL TodayUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
Yahoo NewsUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
Daily JournalUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
The Grand Junction Daily SentinelUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
TVA NouvellesLes États-Unis et les Philippines débutent leurs manœuvres a...
Kronen ZeitungDie Philippinen und USA starteten Militärmanöver
Spiegel OnlineUSA und Philippinen starten Militärübungen mit 17.000 Soldat...
Economic TimesUS and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines...
The HinduU.S., allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines ...
KTBSUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
Rome SentinelUS begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
WFXG FOX54US begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of M...
Daily TribuneUS, Philippine and Japanese troops begin Balikatan war games
Arab NewsUS and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines...
DevdiscourseU.S. and Philippines Showcase Military Might in Major Combat...
Le Parisien" L'un des plus importants déploiements " de l'armée américa...
Le Figaro.frExercices militaires aux Philippines : 17.000 soldats mobili...
Radio BielefeldManila | Philippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militä...
Daily TribuneUS, Philippines launch largest-ever Balikatan drills
Washington TimesU.S. and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippin...
WBOC TV-16US and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines...
EL IMPARCIAL | Noticias de México y el mundoEjercicios militares en Filipinas con Estados Unidos y Japón...
IT News zu den Themen Künstliche Intelligenz, Roboter und Maschinelles Lernen - IT BOLTWISE® x Artificial IntelligencePhilippinen und USA verstärken militärische Zusammenarbeit...
N-tvDer Tag: Philippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militä...
Weser KurierPhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
GMA NetworkPH, US open Balikatan 2026 drills
Süddeutsche ZeitungPhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
The Jakarta PostUS begins Philippines war games amidst Middle East conflict ...
Daily TribunePhilippines to feature BrahMos missile system in Balikatan w...
Freie PressePhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
DIE WELTPhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen ...
RTBFLes États-Unis et les Philippines mobilisent 17.000 soldats ...
UnivisionEstados Unidos y Filipinas inician ejercicios militares en m...
Rhein-Zeitung"Balikatan"-Manöver: Philippinen und USA starten große gemei...
op-online.dePhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
Gießener AllgemeinePhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
hz.dePhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
ZEIT ONLINE"Balikatan"-Manöver: Philippinen und USA starten große gemei...
T-online.dePhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
stern.dePhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
stuttgarter-nachrichten.de"Balikatan"-Manöver: Philippinen und USA starten große gemei...
SÜDKURIER OnlinePhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
Abendzeitung MünchenPhilippinen und USA starten große gemeinsame Militärübungen
Tribuna NoticiasInician Filipinas, EEUU y Japón ejercicios militares en plen...
Philstar.comBalikatan war games begin in thick of Middle East conflict
La LibertéPhilippines. Les Etats-Unis et les Philippines font leurs ma...
Radio RFJLes Etats-Unis et les Philippines font leurs manoeuvres annu...
El EconomistaEU inicia maniobras militares con Filipinas en pleno conflic...
Manila StandardUS, Philippines begin 'Balikatan' in thick of Middle East co...
La Libre.beLes États-Unis et les Philippines mobilisent 17.000 soldats ...
The Manila timesPH, US begin war games
Bloomberg BusinessUS Opens Record Drills With Philippines as Iran War Rattles ...
CNAUS begins Philippines war games in thick of Middle East conf...
Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News17,000 Troops, Japan's Type 88 Anti-Ship Missiles & New US F...
TRT WorldUS, Japan, Philippines hold major military drills amid Iran ...
Digital JournalUS begins Philippines war games in thick of Middle East conf...
Owensboro Messenger-InquirerUS begins Philippines war games in thick of Middle East conf...
RTL TodayUS begins Philippines war games in thick of Middle East conf...
OEMEU inicia maniobras militares anuales con Filipinas en pleno...
The Manila timesAlliance building as a security strategy
MindaNews20-day Balikatan not targeting China - Japanese ambassador
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