Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has picked his "American Idol."

HONG KONG (Reuters) - In a month-long standoff between China and the Philippines over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, Beijing has so far refrained from sending warships from its increasingly powerful and modern navy to enforce its territorial claims. Instead, China has deployed patrol vessels from its expanding fleet of paramilitary ships to Scarborough Shoal, known in Chinese as Huangyan Island. Naval experts say the intent is to minimize the risk of conflict and contain any regional backlash. ...

The Philippines has lifted an eight-year ban on its nationals working in Iraq, but only for the Middle Eastern country's autonomous Kurdistan region, the foreign ministry said Sunday.

China's assertive behavior is breathing life into America's historically tumultuous relationship with the Philippines.