Andrew Mines

Andrew Mines is a program specialist on USIP's Philippines program, where he is responsible for initiatives to support the Bangsamoro peace process, regional peace and security, and peace education. He travels frequently to the Philippines to lead trainings with partners, monitor program activities, and participate in dialogues and events.

Prior to USIP, Mines was a research fellow with The George Washington University. During that time, he was also an investigator with the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence. He previously held research positions at the U.S. Military Academy and The University of Chicago.

Mines holds a bachelor’s from The University of Chicago and a master’s from The George Washington University. He is the author or co-author of over 30 publications, including reports, scientific journal articles, commentary pieces and a 2023 book titled “The Islamic State in Afghanistan and Pakistan: Strategic Alliance and Rivalries.”

Publications By Andrew

Boiling the Frog: China’s Incrementalist Maritime Expansion

Thursday, June 13, 2024

By: Haroro Ingram; Andrew Mines

For over three decades, Beijing has deployed an initially slow but now accelerating campaign to degrade Philippine maritime rights and access in the West Philippine Sea. This long-term effort has been characterized by often seemingly benign actions and even conciliatory rhetoric interspersed with escalatory words and deeds designed to test the thresholds of neighbors and allies. Today, China’s rising aggression in the West Philippine Sea and broader South China Sea has pushed the region to the precipice of conflict.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

A Rising Philippines Faces a Crucial Year Ahead

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

By: Haroro Ingram; Andrew Mines

By virtue of its geography alone, the Philippines is arguably Southeast Asia’s most strategically important country. Yet its actual influence has tended to lag its potential due to decades of socioeconomic struggle and internal instability, especially in its restive southern island of Mindanao. In recent years, however, the Philippines has rapidly emerged as one of the most consequential countries in the Indo-Pacific, driven in large part by President Ferdinand Marcos’ transformative policies on national security, defense and foreign relations.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

U.S., Japan, Philippines Strengthen Strategic Bonds to Counter China

Thursday, April 4, 2024

By: Brian Harding; Haroro Ingram; Andrew Mines

Next week’s U.S.-Philippines-Japan summit comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Manilla and Beijing in the South China Sea, known as the West Philippines Sea in the Philippines. Last month alone saw two incidents of China’s so- called “gray zone” activities, with Chinese ships colliding with Philippines Coast Guard vessels on March 5 and blasting a Philippines supply boat with a water cannon on March 23. These disputes in the West Philippines Sea — an issue on which U.S., Japanese and Philippine interests closely align — will feature prominently when President Joe Biden, Philippine President Ferdinando Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minster Fumio Kishida meet in Washington on April 11.

Type: Question and Answer

Conflict Analysis & Prevention; Global Policy

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