ADDITIONAL TOPICS

ASEAN. It is an intergovernmental organization of ten Southeast Asian countries:

Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand, and Vietnam.

The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the Association are: (1)
to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the
region, (2) to strengthen democracy and (3) to promote regional peace and stability
through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among
countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

WTO. The WTO was created to replace the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT) in 1995 and serves as a global organization that governs trade relations
between its member countries. Its key objectives include:

The WTO aims to reduce barriers to international trade, such as imports and exports,
tariffs and non-tariff barriers, and streamline customs procedures. By doing so, it
seeks to make it easier and more cost-effective for goods and services to flow across
borders.

The World Bank plays a crucial role in the global economic, development landscape,
promoting economic development, reducing poverty, and addressing global
challenges. Its financial resources, technical expertise, and policy advice make it an
essential institution in the pursuit of sustainable and inclusive development
worldwide.

The period characterized by Spanish colonization in the Philippines spanned for

approximately 333 years, from 1565 to 1898. In 1565, the Spanish explorer Miguel
López de Legazpi arrived in the Philippines and established the first permanent
Spanish settlement in Cebu. This marked the beginning of Spanish colonial rule in the
Philippines, which started before world war I and lasted until the end of the Spanish-
American War in 1898. During this period, the Philippines was part of the Spanish
East Indies, and it became an important outpost for the Spanish Empire in Asia.
Spanish colonization had a profound impact on the Philippines, including the spread
of Christianity, the introduction of Spanish culture and language, and the imposition
of a colonial administration. The Spanish influence is still evident in various aspects
of Filipino culture and society today.
The Cold War, which lasted from the end of World War II in 1945 to the early
1990s, was a period of intense geopolitical tension and rivalry between the United
States and the Soviet Union, along with their respective allies. Several key features
characterized global politics during the Cold War period:

Bipolarity: The Cold War was defined by a bipolar power structure, with the United
States leading the Western bloc (NATO and its allies) and the Soviet Union leading
the Eastern bloc (the Warsaw Pact and its allies). This division of the world into two
superpower camps defined international relations during this era.
Nuclear Arms Race: The United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a nuclear
arms race, leading to the development and stockpiling of vast arsenals of nuclear
weapons. This led to the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), which
essentially meant that neither side would initiate a nuclear conflict due to the
catastrophic consequences.

Proxy Wars: The Cold War was marked by numerous proxy wars in which the
superpowers supported opposing sides. Examples include the Korean War, Vietnam
War, and conflicts in Africa and Latin America. These proxy wars were often fought
by local forces with backing and resources from the superpowers.

Ideological Conflict: The Cold War was not just about military and geopolitical
rivalry; it was also an ideological conflict. The United States represented democratic
capitalism, while the Soviet Union stood for communism. These ideological
differences contributed to the global rivalry.

Espionage and Intelligence Operations: Both sides engaged in extensive espionage

and intelligence operations to gather information and gain an advantage over the
other. This included activities such as spying, sabotage, and covert operations.

Space Race: The Cold War era witnessed the Space Race, a competition between the
United States and the Soviet Union to achieve milestones in space exploration. This
led to significant advancements in space technology.

Formation of Alliances: Both superpowers formed alliances to bolster their influence.

The United States established NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), while the
Soviet Union created the Warsaw Pact. These alliances served as military and
political counterbalances.

Berlin Wall: The division of Berlin by the Berlin Wall (constructed in 1961) became a
symbol of the Cold War. It physically separated East and West Berlin and was a
manifestation of the broader division between East and West.

Détente: At various points during the Cold War, there were attempts to ease tensions
through détente, which involved diplomatic efforts to reduce hostility, arms control
negotiations, and cultural exchanges.

Crisis Moments: Several crises during the Cold War brought the world to the brink of
conflict, including the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), the Berlin Crisis (1948-1949), and
the Korean War (1950-1953).
End of the Cold War: The Cold War ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union in
the early 1990s. This event marked the beginning of a new era in global politics,
characterized by the dissolution of the Eastern bloc and the expansion of Western
influence into former Soviet territories.

The Cold War fundamentally shaped global politics for decades, and its effects are
still felt in international relations today, particularly in the context of great power
rivalry and nuclear proliferation.