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US and Philippine forces launch combat drills in the disputed South China Sea

apnews.com US and Philippine forces launch combat drills in the disputed South China Sea

American and Filipino forces launched their largest combat exercises in years in a show of allied firepower near the disputed South China Sea that has alarmed Beijing.

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AI generated text about the difference between what happened in the previous years and what changed:
This year's Philippines-US Balikatan military exercises saw some key changes compared to previous iterations:
Scale: This year's Balikatan was the largest ever, with over 16,700 troops participating, exceeding the numbers from previous years [Xinhua].
Focus: The drills included a stronger emphasis on maritime exercises, with the Philippine Coast Guard participating for the first time [US, Philippines kick off annual joint military drills as tensions mount in South China Sea]. This suggests a focus on island defense and resupply scenarios.
Scenario: The exercises included a simulated island recapture in Palawan, close to the disputed Spratly Islands, which is a new development compared to past drills [AP News].
Regional Involvement: While the core remains US-Philippines, this year included observers from ASEAN nations like Vietnam and Thailand, indicating a broader regional approach to security [US, Philippines kick off annual joint military drills as tensions mount in South China Sea].