GEOPOLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES

2ND SEMESTER AY 23-24

Prepared by: Ms. Marife P. Varela, JD, MHPS

A brief history of Geopolitics

The ‘Mahan’ Thesis (Alfred Thayer Mahan – 1840-1914)

 For example in the Issue of Piracy, Terrorism, trade and non-state actors.
 For example, during the Spanish American War, Cuba and the Philippines were
reclaimed by the US through the Treaty of Paris in Dec. 10, 1898 (created 1897).

The Heartland Theory (Sir Halford Mackinder – 1861-1947)

German politik
The Cold War

What is Geopolitics?

It is the struggle over the control of geographical entities with international and global dimension
and the use of such geographical entities for political advantage
- Flint, Colin: Intro to Geopolitics

Focused on the international and global aspect of geopolitics:

- the way states interact with each other
- how geographical extent of countries is defined and contested through boundary politics
- how state and non-state actors make decisions in global context of environmental
change, trade, relations and other entities

Geographical entities

1. Place
2. Space
3. Scale
4. Region
5. Network
6. Territory

Human Geography - a systematic study of what makes places unique and the connections and
interactions between places (Knox and Marston as quoted in Flint, 2017, p.22)

Ex. City of Singapore

Place and Politics

- Places are the settings of people’s everyday lives
Related aspects:
 Location
  Locale
 Sense of place

Regions within geopolitics are social constructs that reflect certain perspectives and
judgements in making particular groupings.

Colin Flint highlights that there are regional groupings that are determined by proximity
to each other.
Regions should be seen not only as a form of labeling or classification but also as the
result of the construction of political institutions.

Creation of functional regions such as the European Union (EU), the North American
Free Trade Association (NAFTA), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN)

Politics of Diasporas
- The spread if a people from their original homeland
- Networks of giants who establish connections between places across the globe

Ex. Chinese Diaspora

Arab Spring of 2011

- Self immolation in Tunisia
- Social media
- Catalyst of protest and political action in many Arab countries
- Arab democratization movement

Political aftermath of the Arab Spring

o Rulers were deposed:
1. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia in 2011
2. Muammar Gaddafi of Libya in 2011
3. Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in 2011
4. Abi Abdullah Saleh of Yemen in 2012
o Major uprisings and social violence occurred including riots, civil wars, and
insurgencies

Brief History Great Repression and PH Independence

1929 – period of Great Repression

Labor groups, and including those in agriculture form as pressure groups from 1919-1933333
1916 – filed the Jones Law of 1916 by Osmena and Roxas
However, Quezon insisted to go by himself for final talks to the US and came back with the
Hare – Haves Cutting Act

Alliances and the Two World Wars

WWI

 The Allied Powers – England, France, Russia, Italy

 Central Powers – Germany and Austria-Hungary
 These two alliances would
 Triple Entente – Russia, France, Great Britain fight each other in the
 Triple Alliance – Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy World War I.
WWII

Axis Powers – Germany, Italy, Japan

Allied Powers – the principal members of the allies were the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union,
the United States, and China (the big four), as well as France while it was unoccupied.

World War I – 1914-1918

World War I Alliances – 1914

 Triple Alliance/Central Powers

- a military alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary and (Italy)
 Triple Entente/Allied Powers
- Great Britain, France, Russia

The Israeli – Palestinian Conflict

A territorial conflict that dates back to the end of the nineteenth century.
In 1947, the United Nations adopted the Resolution 181, known as the Partition Plan, which
sought to divided the British Mandate of Palestine into Arab and Jewish States

On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was created, sparking the first Arab Israeli War.

The war ended in 1949 with Israel’s victory, but 750,000 Palestinians were displaced and the
territory was divided into 3 parts: the State of Israel, the West Bank (of the Jordan River) and
the Gaza Strip

Zionism
- Movement for (originally) the re-establishment and (now) the development and
protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel. It was established as a political
organization in 1897 by Theodor Herzl, and was later led by Chaim Weizmann.
Palestinian Nationalism
- Is the national movement of the Palestinian people that espouses self-determination and
sovereignty over the region of Palestine.

Yasser Arafat (August 1929 – November 11, 2004) was a Palestinian political leader. He was
chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) from 1969-2004 and president of the
Palestinian National Authority (PNA) from 1994 – 2004.

Anwar Sadat – He initiated peace negotiations with Israel, an achievement which he shared the
1978 Nobel Prize for Peace with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Under their
leadership, Egypt and Israel made peace with each other in 1979.
Israeli Invasion

 More than 50 years ago, the State of Israel shocked the world when it seized the
remaining Palestinian territories of West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, as well as
the Syrian Golan Heights and the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula in a matter of 6 days.
 In a war with Egypt, Jordan and Syria, known as the 1967 War or the June War, Israel
delivered what came to be known as Naksa, meaning setback or defeat to the armies of
the neighboring Arab countries and to the Palestinians who lost all what remained of
their homeland.
 The Naksa was a continuation of a prior central even that paved the way for the 1967
War. Nineteen years earlier in 1948, the state of Israel came into being in a violent
process that entailed the ethnic cleansing of Palestine.

Iran-Israeli Conflict: Iran’s Proxy Wars

Iran’s support to Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and Palestinian’s Hamas

Territory as a political space

 Territory is a bounded space that is under some sort of political control (Flint, 2017)
 Example in geopolitics – a country or formally, a state.

Two related ideas of territory in geopolitics

1. Territory requires political control
2. The exercise of power requires territory

Territory could either be Terrestrial, Fluvial, Maritime, Aerial.

Article 1: National Territory

The Archipelago Doctrine

 1958 – Int’l. Convention on the Law of the Sea held in Geneva, Switzerland (vs. the 3-
mile rule)
 1971 – Committee on peaceful Uses of the seabed and the ocean floor beyond the limits
of national jurisdiction – Geneva (the more than 7,000 islands of the Philippines be
treated as a single unit)
 1984 – Batasang Pambansa ratified the UN Law of the Sea Convention

Countries of Southeast Asian Region – Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Timor Leste,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

State and Sovereignty

 States are defined by their possession of sovereignty over a territory and its people.
States are the primary units of the international system
 State formation has an international aspect
 Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 (central europe) – peace treaty that ended the 30 years
war/religious freedom
 Montevideo Convention in 1933 – the state as a person of international law should
possess the ff. qualifications:
1. Permanent population
2. Defined territory
3. Government
 4. Capacity to enter into relations with other states

The Geopolitics of Nationalism (constructing a national identity)

 The ideology of nationalism has equated national well-being with control of a state
 Nationalism is the belief that every nation has a right to state and therefore, control of a
piece of territory
 The geopolitical situation is perceived to be unjust, if a nation does not have its own
state.

The geopolitics of making peaceful boundaries

 Boundaries are the focus for a variety of geopolitical disputes
 Goodwill between neighbors is fundamental to making peaceful boundaries

Conditions Necessary to facilitate trans-boundary interaction

 Territorial disputes are settled
 Trans-boundary interaction within the law is easy
 The boundary provides a sense of security
 Joint resource exploitation is possible
 Local administration is coordinated

Case study: the establishment of the North Korea-South Korea boundary

Brief History of the Korean Peninsula

 57 BC – Subservience to the Chinese Empire
 The Korean Dynasties
 1894-1895 – The Sino-Japanese War
 1904-1905 – The Russo-Japanese War
 1905 – Treaty of Portsmouth
 1910 – Korea was forcible incorporated to the Japanese empire
 1945 – End of WWII

Where did the first self-immolation happened? Tunisia

ASEAN- Region
What geopolitical entities are Mountains… - Terrestrial
Maritime Territory- 12 Nautical Miles
States are defined by their possession over a territory and its people - Sovereignty

What territory did the Israeli’s seized in Syria? Golan Heights

Most holy day where the Arab league attacked Israel? Yom Kippur
Treaty that grants sovereignty and the right to Self-Determination- Peace of Westphalia
The Arab spring started as a religious war- False
The Montevideo Convention established the liberality of states – True

The ideology of nationalism has equated national well-being with control of a state. True Zionism is
a religious movement- False, it is a nationalist movement
No arab country ever tried to make peace with Israel- False
Joint resource exploration is a necessary condition – True
The line dividing the North and South Korea is located to 14th parallel- False, 38th Parallel
Treaty of Shimonoseki ended the war between China and Japan - True
Ruso-Japanese war- Treaty of Portsmouth

FURTHER SOURCES

Mahan Thesis

The Mahan Thesis, also known as Mahanian doctrine or Mahanism, refers to the geopolitical
and naval theories put forth by American naval historian and strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan in
the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in
1859 and served as a naval officer during the American Civil War. Mahan's ideas, primarily
outlined in his seminal work "The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660–1783," published
in 1890, had a profound impact on naval strategy and international relations.
Mahan argued that maritime power was crucial to the dominance of nations in global affairs. He
emphasized the significance of sea power in history, asserting that nations with strong navies
had historically been able to control trade routes, project power overseas, and secure their
interests more effectively. According to Mahan, control of the seas was essential for national
security, economic prosperity, and global influence.
Heartland Theory
The Heartland Theory, proposed by the British geographer Sir Halford Mackinder in 1904, posits
that the key to world domination lies in controlling the Eurasian "Heartland," a vast region
encompassing Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and parts of Siberia. According to Mackinder,
whoever controls the Heartland would have the resources and strategic position necessary to
dominate the world island (Eurasia) and consequently the entire world.
Mackinder argued that advancements in transportation and technology would make it
increasingly feasible for a land power, rather than a maritime power, to dominate the world. He
identified the Heartland as the pivot area around which world power revolved, referring to it as
the "geographical pivot of history."
The Heartland Theory gained significant attention during the 20th century, particularly during the
Cold War, as it was used to explain geopolitical strategies and rivalries. For example, the
struggle between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany for control of Eastern Europe aligned with
Mackinder's theory. Additionally, the theory influenced U.S. strategic thinking during the Cold
War, particularly with regard to containing Soviet expansionism in Eurasia.
Cold War

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension and ideological rivalry between the United
States and its allies, and the Soviet Union and its allies, lasting roughly from the end of World
War II in 1945 to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The term "Cold War" reflects the
fact that although there were no direct military confrontations between the two superpowers,
there was a constant state of political, economic, and military rivalry.
Ideological Differences: The fundamental ideological differences between the capitalist West,
led by the United States, and the communist East, led by the Soviet Union, were a primary
cause of the Cold War. The United States promoted democracy, free-market capitalism, and
individual freedoms, while the Soviet Union advocated for communism, state control of the
economy, and collective ownership of property.
WWII Legacy, Soviet Expansionism, Truman Doctrine and Containment, Arms Race and
Nuclear Proliferation
Arab Spring of 2011
The Arab Spring refers to a series of pro-democracy uprisings and protests that swept across
the Arab world, primarily in North Africa and the Middle East, beginning in late 2010 and
continuing into 2011. These movements were characterized by demands for political reform,
social justice, economic opportunity, and an end to authoritarian rule. The Arab Spring marked a
significant turning point in the modern history of the Middle East and North Africa, leading to the
overthrow of long-standing regimes in several countries and sparking widespread political and
social change.
Key events and countries affected by the Arab Spring include:
Tunisia: The Arab Spring began in Tunisia in December 2010 when street vendor Mohamed
Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest against government corruption and mistreatment by
authorities. His act of self-immolation ignited mass protests that ultimately led to the ousting of
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011, ending his 23-year authoritarian rule.
Egypt: Inspired by the Tunisian revolution, Egyptians took to the streets in January 2011 to
protest against President Hosni Mubarak's autocratic rule, corruption, and economic inequality.
After weeks of massive demonstrations in Cairo's Tahrir Square and across the country,
Mubarak resigned in February 2011, ending his 30-year rule.
Libya: Protests against the regime of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi erupted in February
2011 and quickly escalated into a full-scale armed conflict. The uprising eventually led to a
NATO-led military intervention in support of the anti-Gaddafi rebels. Gaddafi was captured and
killed by rebel forces in October 2011, leading to the collapse of his regime.
Syria: Anti-government protests began in Syria in March 2011, demanding political reforms and
an end to President Bashar al-Assad's authoritarian rule. The Assad regime responded with
violent crackdowns, leading to a protracted civil war that has caused immense suffering and
displacement, with hundreds of thousands of people killed and millions displaced.
Yemen: Yemen experienced widespread protests against President Ali Abdullah Saleh's three-
decade-long rule, demanding his resignation and political reforms. Saleh eventually stepped
down in February 2012 after months of protests and political negotiations, though Yemen
continued to face instability and conflict.
Other Countries: The Arab Spring also led to protests and demonstrations in several other Arab
countries, including Bahrain, Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, and Oman. While some countries
implemented limited reforms in response to popular demands, others faced violent repression
and ongoing political turmoil.
Overall, the Arab Spring represented a historic moment of popular mobilization and political
upheaval in the Arab world, challenging entrenched authoritarian regimes and inspiring hope for
greater democracy, human rights, and social justice. However, the aftermath of the Arab Spring
has been mixed, with some countries experiencing democratic transitions, while others have
descended into prolonged conflict, instability, and authoritarian backlash.
Chinese Diaspora
The Chinese diaspora refers to the global community of ethnic Chinese people living outside of
Greater China, which includes mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The Chinese
diaspora is one of the largest and most widespread in the world, with significant populations in
various countries across Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and beyond. Here are some
basic points about the Chinese diaspora:
Historical Background: Chinese migration has occurred for centuries, with significant waves of
emigration beginning in the 19th century. Economic opportunities, political instability, and social
upheavals, such as wars and famines, have been primary drivers of Chinese migration.
Global Distribution: The Chinese diaspora is distributed widely around the world. Some of the
largest and most established communities are found in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries
like Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Other significant
communities exist in North America (United States and Canada), Europe (United Kingdom,
France, Netherlands), Oceania (Australia, New Zealand), and Latin America (Peru, Brazil).

WWI
World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict that erupted in 1914 and lasted
until 1918. It was sparked by a complex interplay of political, economic, social, and military
factors. Here are some of the key causes of World War I:
Militarism: In the decades leading up to World War I, European powers engaged in a significant
arms race, building up their military forces and stockpiling weapons. This atmosphere of
militarism contributed to heightened tensions and increased the likelihood of conflict.
Alliance Systems: Europe was divided into two main alliance blocs: the Triple Entente
(comprising France, Russia, and Great Britain) and the Triple Alliance (comprising Germany,
Austria-Hungary, and Italy). These alliances were formed primarily for defensive purposes but
created a delicate balance of power that could easily be upset by a single event.
Imperialism: European powers were engaged in intense competition for colonial territories
around the world. Conflicts over colonial possessions, particularly in Africa and the Balkans,
heightened tensions between the major powers.
Nationalism: Nationalistic fervor was strong in many European countries, leading to aspirations
for independence among various ethnic groups within the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman
empires. Nationalist movements fueled tensions and contributed to the outbreak of conflict.
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand: The immediate trigger for World War I was the
assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo,
Bosnia, on June 28, 1914. The assassination, carried out by a Bosnian Serb nationalist, led to
Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Serbia, setting off a chain reaction of alliances and
military mobilizations.
Failure of Diplomacy: Despite efforts to prevent conflict through diplomatic means, the system of
alliances and the rapid escalation of tensions made it difficult to find a peaceful resolution to the
crisis triggered by the assassination. Diplomatic maneuvers and ultimatums only served to
escalate the situation further.
WWII

World War II, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, was one of the deadliest conflicts in human
history. Its causes were numerous and complex, stemming from a combination of unresolved
issues from World War I, the global economic depression of the 1930s, and the rise of
aggressive dictatorships. Here are some of the key factors that led to the outbreak of World War
II:
Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War I, imposed heavy
reparations and territorial losses on Germany. This created a sense of humiliation and
resentment among the German population and contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the
Nazi Party.
Rise of Fascism and Nazism: In the interwar period, fascist and authoritarian regimes emerged
in several European countries, including Italy, Germany, and Spain. These regimes,
characterized by extreme nationalism, militarism, and suppression of dissent, sought to expand
their power and influence through aggressive foreign policies.
Expansionism and Territorial Ambitions: The aggressive expansionist policies of fascist regimes,
particularly Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, posed a direct threat to the stability of Europe
and Asia. Hitler's ambition to establish a Greater German Reich and Japan's quest for empire in
East Asia and the Pacific led to territorial conquests and conflicts with neighboring countries.
Appeasement and Failed Diplomacy: The policy of appeasement pursued by Western powers,
particularly Britain and France, in the face of Hitler's territorial ambitions only emboldened Nazi
aggression. Diplomatic efforts to address grievances and prevent conflict, such as the Munich
Agreement of 1938, ultimately failed to contain Nazi expansionism.
Economic Turmoil and Global Depression: The global economic depression of the 1930s
exacerbated social and political instability, providing fertile ground for the rise of extremist
ideologies and dictatorial regimes. Economic hardship and unemployment fueled discontent and
created conditions conducive to militarization and aggression.
Failure of Collective Security: The League of Nations, established after World War I to promote
peace and prevent future conflicts, proved ineffective in the face of escalating international
tensions. The inability of the League to enforce disarmament agreements and deter aggression
undermined its credibility and contributed to the breakdown of collective security mechanisms.
Triggering Events: The immediate trigger for World War II was Germany's invasion of Poland on
September 1, 1939. This act of aggression prompted Britain and France to declare war on
Germany, leading to the outbreak of hostilities in Europe. Concurrently, Japan's expansionist
policies in Asia culminated in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, drawing the
United States into the conflict.
In summary, World War II was caused by a combination of factors including unresolved
grievances from World War I, the rise of fascist dictatorships, economic instability, and the
failure of diplomacy and collective security mechanisms to prevent aggression. These factors
converged to create a global conflagration that resulted in immense human suffering and
devastation.
South Korea – North Korea
The boundary between South Korea and North Korea, commonly known as the Korean
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), is one of the most heavily fortified and tense borders in the world.
Here is an overview of its history:
Division of Korea: The division of Korea into two separate states, North Korea and South Korea,
occurred at the end of World War II in 1945. The Korean Peninsula had been under Japanese
colonial rule since 1910, but following Japan's defeat in the war, Korea was liberated. The Allies
agreed to divide Korea along the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union occupying the north and
the United States occupying the south.
Korean War: In 1950, North Korean forces, backed by the Soviet Union and China, invaded
South Korea, triggering the Korean War. The war lasted until 1953 when an armistice
agreement was signed, effectively establishing a ceasefire. However, no formal peace treaty
was ever signed, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically still in a state of war.
Establishment of the DMZ: As part of the armistice agreement, a demilitarized zone was
established along the 38th parallel to serve as a buffer zone between North and South Korea.
The DMZ is approximately 248 kilometers (155 miles) long and 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) wide,
running from east to west across the peninsula. It is heavily fortified with barbed wire,
landmines, guard posts, and troops from both sides.
Tense Standoff: The DMZ has become a symbol of the ongoing division and tensions between
North and South Korea. Despite the armistice, sporadic clashes and incidents have occurred
along the border over the years, including exchange of gunfire, infiltration attempts, and
defections. Both sides maintain a high state of military readiness, and the border area remains
heavily militarized.
Cross-Border Talks and Initiatives: Despite the tense military standoff, efforts have been made
over the years to improve relations and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. Diplomatic
talks, summits, and inter-Korean initiatives have taken place, leading to agreements such as the
Panmunjom Declaration in 2018, which aimed to reduce tensions and foster reconciliation
between North and South Korea.
International Involvement: The Korean Peninsula remains a subject of international concern,
with major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia closely monitoring
developments in the region. Efforts to denuclearize North Korea and achieve a lasting peace on
the peninsula have been key priorities for the international community.
Overall, the boundary between North Korea and South Korea, represented by the DMZ, is a
stark reminder of the unresolved division and tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Despite
occasional diplomatic breakthroughs and efforts to promote reconciliation, the border remains
heavily fortified, and the prospects for a comprehensive peace agreement remain uncertain.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a deeply entrenched geopolitical issue with significant regional
and international implications. Here's a brief analysis of its geopolitical dimensions:
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Territorial Dispute: At its core, the conflict revolves around competing claims to land and
resources, particularly in the territory of historic Palestine. Israelis and Palestinians both assert
rights to the land, leading to disputes over borders, settlements, and control of key areas such
as Jerusalem.
Regional Dynamics: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict intersects with broader regional geopolitical
dynamics in the Middle East. Arab states have historically supported the Palestinian cause,
while Israel has sought alliances with other regional powers, such as Egypt and Jordan. Recent
shifts in regional geopolitics, including the normalization agreements between Israel and some
Arab states, have added complexity to the situation.
Religious Dimensions: Jerusalem holds immense religious significance for Jews, Muslims, and
Christians alike. Disputes over control of religious sites, particularly the Temple Mount/Haram
al-Sharif, have religious and geopolitical ramifications, often exacerbating tensions and inciting
violence.
Sabah – Jabidah Massacre
The history of the Philippines regarding Sabah is complex and rooted in historical claims,
colonial history, and geopolitical dynamics. Sabah, located on the island of Borneo, is currently
part of Malaysia, but the Philippines has long asserted historical and territorial claims over the
region. Here is an overview of the history of the Philippines' claim to Sabah:
Historical Claims: The Sultanate of Sulu, a Muslim state based in the southern Philippines,
historically held control over parts of what is now Sabah. The Sultanate's control over Sabah
was recognized through various treaties and agreements with neighboring powers, including the
British North Borneo Company, which administered the territory on behalf of the British Empire.
British Colonial Rule: Sabah came under British colonial rule in the late 19th century when the
British North Borneo Company obtained a lease over the territory from the Sultan of Sulu. This
lease agreement, known as the "1878 Lease Agreement," was later transferred to the British
Crown.
Philippine Independence: The Philippines gained independence from the United States in 1946.
Despite this, the country continued to assert its claim to Sabah, arguing that the territory
rightfully belonged to the Sultanate of Sulu and, by extension, to the Philippines.
Diplomatic Efforts: Over the years, the Philippines has pursued diplomatic and legal avenues to
assert its claim to Sabah. This has included diplomatic protests, legal claims, and appeals to
international bodies such as the United Nations. However, Malaysia has consistently rejected
the Philippines' claim and maintained control over Sabah.
The Jabidah Incident: The Jabidah Massacre in 1968, which involved Filipino Muslim recruits
allegedly being trained for a covert operation to infiltrate Sabah, further heightened tensions
between the Philippines and Malaysia over the Sabah issue. The incident led to public outrage
in the Philippines and strained relations between the two countries.
Ongoing Dispute: The Sabah dispute remains unresolved to this day, with the Philippines
continuing to assert its claim to the territory. However, Malaysia maintains de facto control over
Sabah, and international recognition of its sovereignty over the region has been widespread.
Efforts to resolve the dispute through diplomatic means have had limited success, and the issue
continues to be a source of occasional tension between the two countries.
Asean and Maphilindo
MAIPHILINDO: MAPHILINDO was a proposed confederation or alliance between three
Southeast Asian countries: Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The name
"MAIPHILINDO" is a portmanteau formed from the first syllables of each country's name. The
idea emerged in the 1960s as a vision for regional cooperation and solidarity among these
nations. However, the proposal never materialized into a formal political entity due to various
geopolitical, economic, and domestic factors, including territorial disputes, differing political
ideologies, and nationalistic sentiments.
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental
organization comprising ten member states in Southeast Asia. It was established on August 8,
1967, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (also known as the Bangkok Declaration) by
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The organization's primary
objectives include promoting regional peace and stability, fostering economic cooperation and
integration, and enhancing collaboration in social, cultural, and political spheres. ASEAN has
since expanded to include Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. It
serves as a platform for dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation among its member states and
plays a significant role in shaping regional affairs and addressing common challenges.
Honduras – El Salvador
Territorial Disputes: Honduras and El Salvador have experienced territorial disputes over the
years, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The most notable conflict between the
two countries occurred in 1969, known as the Football War or the 100-Hour War, sparked by
tensions during a series of football matches. The brief conflict resulted in thousands of
casualties and strained relations between the two nations.

‘I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.’

Philippians 4:13