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| Image: Flickr User - US Embassy Manila |
By Prashanth Parameswaran
White House highlights US efforts as Obama kicks off Asia trip.
The United States is boosting maritime security assistance to Southeast Asia, the White House announced November 17 as U.S. President Barack Obama kicked off a weeklong visit to Asia for the latest round of summitry.
“We are increasing the maritime security capacity of our allies and partners, to respond to threats in waters off their coasts and to provide maritime security more broadly across the region,” the statement said.
The statement is part of a broader rollout by the administration showcasing its ongoing efforts in its “rebalance” to the Asia-Pacific as Obama begins his ninth visit to the region and approaches his last year in office. As I had reported earlier, administration officials had told reporters last Friday to expect maritime security announcements during the Philippine leg of Obama’s Asia trip where he is attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit (See: “Obama Philippines Visit to Focus on Maritime Security”)..
In total, the statement said that the United States is committing $119 million in fiscal year 2015 (FY 2015) and will seek to provide $140 million in assistance the following year subject to appropriation, totaling over $250 million over two years.
Read the full story at The Diplomat