On Aug. 13, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand, I joined a virtual press briefing with Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge A. Colby, who discussed the Department of War’s defense strategy in the Indo-Pacific. He described an approach centered on flexible realism, American strength and pragmatic Southeast Asian partnerships.
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Colby is the principal adviser to the Secretary of War on defense and foreign policy. He leads development and implementation of the National Defense Strategy, oversees related reviews on Joint Force planning and posture, and represents the department in interagency and foreign-government engagements.
Before assuming his post, Colby co-founded The Marathon Initiative, a think tank focused on sustained great-power competition.
Colby is the author of Yale University Press’ 2021 book, The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict. The Wall Street Journal named it one of its top 10 books of the year, and it has been translated into several languages.
During President Donald Trump’s first term, Colby served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development from 2017 to 2018. He helped lead the development of the 2018 National Defense Strategy, which emphasized China’s military buildup and the need for greater allied burden-sharing. He also served as the Defense Department’s primary representative in developing the 2017 National Security Strategy.
The PhilStagers’ Encounter
I began to know the Philippine Stagers Foundation in December 2023, when Atty. Vince M. Tañada invited me to spend New Year’s Eve at his home and office in Sampaloc, Manila. At the time, I was with the Office of the President’s Career Executive Service Board, where my former boss, Atty. Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones, was executive director.
Johnrey Rivas, the PSF president, greeted me when I arrived at about 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2023. I spent the evening with Atty. Vince; his mother, Emy; his son, Peter Parker; Johnrey; several PhilStagers, including OJ Arci, Fidel Redado, James Ramada, Awin Valencia, Gerald Magallanes, Carl Rasco, Lance Cabradilla, Vean Cancino and Bea Martin; and ABS-CBN singer JM Yosures.
Since then, I have often joined them in covering their shows, including performances outside Metro Manila.
I had intended to join the PSF summer workshop in 2024 but was too busy, and in 2025 I was in California with my family. In May 2026, I finally had the opportunity to participate.
During the month-long workshop, I approached the experience like a high school student because several participants were secondary-level students, many of them minors. I deliberately became quieter and less outspoken than usual. As a professor, I am normally strict, disciplined, observant and investigative.
Advancing the U.S. Campaign to Address the Threat Posed by the ICC
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration considers the International Criminal Court “a corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court” that has, in the administration’s view, exceeded its mandate and threatened state sovereignty.
Rubio announced sanctions against two ICC officials: ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal. The designations were made under Executive Order 14203, “Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court.”
According to Rubio, the two officials had participated in ICC efforts to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute officials from governments that had not consented to the court’s jurisdiction.
Rubio also argued that the ICC has repeatedly sought authority over nationals of the United States and other countries that have not ratified the Rome Statute. He said the administration would continue its diplomatic campaign against what it views as ICC overreach and would encourage other governments to reconsider their funding and participation.
He added that the administration was prepared to impose further measures if it deemed them necessary to protect U.S. sovereignty.
2nd Placer in the ACEF 2026 Leaderboard
I was happy to place second in the Asia Clean Energy Forum 2026 leaderboard with 133,000 points. It was my first time attending the forum, and I thank the Asian Development Bank.
First place went to Augustine Anthuvan of Singapore, chief trainer at Mediacorp’s Singapore Media Academy, with 147,200 points.
Third was Shaurya Ritwik, managing director of the International Institute for Sustainable Finance in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, with 125,400 points.
Andi Novianto, a senior policy analyst with Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs in Jakarta, placed fourth with 101,000 points.
Reena Suri, executive director of the India Smart Grid Forum, placed fifth with 56,200 points. She was the only woman in the top 10.
Tanvir Ebne Bashar of Bangladesh, vice president of Infrastructure Development Company Limited, was sixth with 55,600 points.
Kathmandu-based Manav K C, an energy adviser at GIZ Nepal, placed seventh with 39,800 points.
Vikas Singh Suhag, a clean-energy professional based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was eighth with 33,500 points.
Lusiano Koroiveibau, a mechanical engineer from Suva, Fiji, placed ninth with 32,600 points.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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