(Manila Bulletin) Foreign policy experts warned that China has the ability to use direct military force for its maritime claims, so the next administration must craft a national security strategy that prioritizes strengthening ties with like-minded countries.

“If China really wanted to reliably be able to coerce Manila, it would want the ability to use direct military force, and the reality is that China is going to have that ability,” said Elbridge Colby, former deputy assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development of the US Department of Defense.