Philippine Energy Security Could Determine the Outcome of a Taiwan Contingency
The article states that Philippine fuel insecurity is a vulnerability in American strategy for a Taiwan contingency, because American operations depend on access to the Philippines and its oil. It reports that the Philippines consumes 474,000 barrels per day and holds only a 40-45 day reserve, with almost 97 percent of crude imports coming from the Middle East and nearly 95 percent of refined products from Asia. It notes that the Pentagon is building extra oil capacity in Davao to enable naval vessels to receive fuel, but says storage alone cannot solve the underlying problem.
Why it matters: The piece links Philippine fuel insecurity to energy security and to deterrence in a Taiwan contingency.