What Is the US Really Doing in the Philippines?

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Last year, American soldiers were part of a -training exercise- in the Philippines, allowed to fire only in self-defense against the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. Last Thursday, the Pentagon announced plans to send 3000 troops to the Philippines to engage in combat. The move has caused political turmoil in that country because its constitution prohibits foreign soldiers from combat on Philippine soil. Today, the Christian Science Monitor reports that Iraq has tried to recruit terrorist groups around the world to attack American installations, among them Abu Sayyaf. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times take opposing views over the role of US combat troops in the Philippines. We discuss the controversy over the latest front in the war on terror with journalists in the US and the Philippines, a former Army veteran who helped strengthen forces in Southeast Asia, and a professor of Southeast Asian history.
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Map of the Philippines

Abu Sayyaf

Monitor-s -Iraqi to -Outsource- Counterattacks-

Moro Islamic Liberation Front

Profiles from the Frontline

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney