With an Eye on China, Philippines Moves Closer to U.S. Interests

For years, the Philippines largely stood by as Chinese forces rammed its fishing vessels and occupied the reefs and shoals that once belonged to the Southeast Asian nation. Those days may soon be over. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in June, has adopted the most muscular foreign policy approach that the Philippines has seen in close to a decade. He is seeking out alliances, restoring his country's defense ties with the United States and prioritizing his country's territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea. Earlier this month, Mr. Marcos agreed to grant the United States military…