News Snapshot:
Philippine, US Defense Chiefs Affirm Military Alliance in Introductory Call — Radio Free Asia By tweet In their first conversation since Lloyd Austin became the U.S. defense secretary, he and Philippine counterpart Delfin Lorenzana reaffirmed their nations’ commitment to a decades-old military alliance in a phone call Wednesday, officials said. Lorenzana said he discussed bilateral ties and security concerns with Austin, who was named as the chief at The Pentagon by Joe Biden, the new American president. The two defense secretaries, according to Lorenzana, also discussed security concerns in the South China Sea. Tensions have increased there since Beijing passed...
