Very privileged to discuss the trilateral coastguard exercises between US, Philippines, and Japan (Australia observing) today on BBC news, embedding them in some of the broader trends of coastguard cooperation in region.

I was asked if they were escalationary. I argued no - limited to law enforcement and SAR, embedded in a broader trend towards cg cooperation, and a Culmination of strong bilateral ties between all involved.

China has also chosen not to join more inclusive discussions between CG's, including in SG a few weeks ago. Difficult in such a context to argue these are exclusionary

I was also asked if this 'new quad' was likely to expand. Argued there's a trend towards more flexible minilaterals, so unlikely. Not enough states share same vision, have the capacity, or the desire to join these specific exercises - especially when they engage bilaterally already