Feuding Dynasties and Clashing Empires: The Philippines’ Middle Power Moment - American Affairs Journal

Feuding Dynasties and Clashing Empires: The Philippines’ Middle Power Moment - American Affairs Journal

Against the backdrop of Sino-American tensions, the Philippines is also confronting a brewing civil war between the country’s two most powerful political dynasties. Since the return of the Marcoses to the Malacañang Palace in May 2022, they have wasted no time in rehabilitating their political image both at home and abroad. But Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s attempt at projecting a more “reformist” image—and his decision to reverse some of the most auth…