[Rappler’s Best] 2026 and your neighborhood bullies

‘Analysts agree that the Venezuela strike will embolden China’s territorial claims’

Annyeonghaseyo!

I hope you opened the New 12 months with cheer, Donald Trump and Nicolas Maduro however.

I’m scripting this from picturesque Nami Island in South Korea, on the final day of a brief New 12 months break spent with household. Nami, surrounded by the Bukhan River that’s sliced by rocks of snow in some elements, is beautiful regardless of the lifeless colour of winter. I suppose it’s the parable round it, constructed over time for the reason that iconic Winter Sonata was shot right here within the early 2000s.

By means of their blockbuster telenovelas, Ok-pop music, and skincare, this East Asian cultural big has colonized many elements of the world. But, this vacation go to jogged my memory of how, not too way back, we additionally conquered Asia via our songs. In two Ubers that we took, the drivers immediately hummed “Anak” upon sensing we had been Filipinos. Freddie Aguilar, the drivers blurted with a smile. One even performed the Korean model on his cellphone. The Gen Zs with us sat clueless; we elders had been thrilled.

Aguilar’s “Anak” — launched in 50 nations and translated into 53 languages — continues to ripple 4 many years after it touched the hearts of thousands and thousands world wide. The Filipino people artist died in Might 2025 (after all, we have now not forgotten the truth that he did hook up with a minor).

South Korea has constructed a fortress round itself — culturally, psychologically, bodily — as it’s pressured to dwell with an irrational, errant neighbor separated from it by a demilitarized strip of 250 kilometers.

It made me marvel: In navy ways, which is less complicated to safe from invasion? Land separated by land, or, within the case of the West Philippine Sea, land separated by treacherous waters from a bully like China?

Certainly, our borders have by no means been so insecure as they’re now, as Trump confirmed us in a brazen reminder over the weekend when, on his orders, US navy forces attacked Venezuela’s capital, kidnapped President Maduro, boarded him and his spouse Cilia right into a helicopter and a ship, after which put him in a New York detention heart.

As if to additionally flex its navy muscle, North Korea fired ballistic missiles on Sunday, January 4, as South Korean President Lee Jae-myung launched into a state go to to China.

China additionally earlier staged navy drills round Taiwan, prompting the latter to vow it should defend its sovereignty. 

• The US’ assault on Venezuela is a marked departure from a frontrunner who has criticized others for overreaching on overseas affairs, writes Reuters.
• However Walden Bello, in his critique of the US’ just lately launched Nationwide Safety Technique (NSS), spells out America’s coverage shift in direction of financial and regional pursuits that exactly make sense of the assault on Venezuela. Learn Walden’s piece right here.
• The Venezuelan diaspora celebrated the dictator Maduro’s abduction however understand how unsure the approaching months shall be. 
• Who’s Nicolas Maduro? Learn all about him right here.

To Mamamayang Liberal Consultant Leila de Lima, Trump’s audacious transfer ought to function a actuality test for the Philippines. “As a US ally, this leaves the Philippines with a compromised ethical ascendancy in protesting, condemning, opposing and preventing China’s aggression within the West Philippine Sea,” De Lima mentioned.

Different analysts agree that the Venezuela strike will embolden China’s territorial claims.

Chinese language incursions into Philippine territory have been with out letup in the previous couple of years, the newest of which was China’s obvious Christmas gesture, however which Philippine officers have pooh-poohed as mere propaganda. Previous to this, Chinese language coast guard ships fired water cannons at Filipino fisherfolk in Escoda Shoal. The US condemned China’s aggression.

However Manila’s main ally in opposition to Chinese language aggression “makes use of that very same aggression in opposition to a smaller neighbor (Venezuela) like what the Philippines is to China,” De Lima harassed.

Even when the US authorities’s NSS skipped point out of America’s presence and curiosity in its most enduring ally within the Asia-Pacific, it’s a incontrovertible fact that the People are right here. And in an enormous means, as Marites Vitug tells us on this story.

This 12 months alone, the Philippines will witness greater than 50 joint workout routines and engagements between each nations.

• In November, each nations introduced the creation of the US’ Activity Drive Philippines. Bea Cupin tells us what it should do in Philippine waters.
• Former Navy vice commander retired rear admiral Rommel Ong lays out on this piece what appears unthinkable: a Philippine protection posture with out America.

Again house, the President signed the P6.793-trillion 2026 finances, the driving force of each development and corruption. How this may serve the general public good and never fill our lawmakers’ pockets is the problem.

Listed below are a few of Rappler’s bests that you simply shouldn’t miss:

James Patrick Cruz tells us how a lot cash has been recovered by the federal government thus far within the wake of the flood management scandal.

Curtis Chin and Jose Collazo present us Asia’s worst in 2025 — from rip-off cities to Labubu.

JC Punongbayan tackles the distinction between the 2025 finances and the brand new one.

James Patrick Cruz lists down the businesses that obtained the largest finances based mostly on what was authorised by each homes of Congress. The President must log out on it.

– Rappler.com

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The views expressed by the author are his/her personal and don’t essentially replicate the views or positions of Rappler.