Energy Security in Southeast Asia: The Philippines Amidst Rising Geopolitical Tensions

Abstract

This thesis examines the path to energy security for the Philippines and the validity of a pragmatic remolding of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), with the Philippines as the crux nation comprising original members of SEATO as the country’s strongest security partners: U.S., UK, Australia, Germany, France, New Zealand—and suggested new members Japan, Korea, and Canada. The Philippines’ role within SEATO takes on a comparative approach with member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Modern international security challenges illustrate the struggle of the Philippines, as a small Southeast Asian nation amidst the unilateral actions of a nuclear power like China.