Maritime funds for South-east Asia boost US ties
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Significance In response to China's activities in the South China Sea, the United States has begun to implement its South-east Asia Maritime Security Initiative (MSI), which seeks to build the maritime capacity of security partners in the region. Impacts Duterte's anti-crime agenda for the Philippines could see some positive knock-on effects for coast guard procurements. Closer defence ties underlined by the MSI will also see greater diplomatic spats between Washington and its allies over human rights issues. A victory by Hillary Clinton in the 2016 elections would help bolster US credibility as a long-term regional security guarantor.