The board is being set.

• Finland to join NATO

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/03/finland-to-join-nato-on-tuesday-as-russia-sounds-border-warning

• 4 US bases to be set up in the Philippines

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/3/philippines-announces-locations-of-4-bases-to-be-used-by-us-army