REALISTIC CHOICES: THE ADJUSTMENTS OF U.S. POLICY TOWARDS THE PHILIPPINES, 1981-1986 Liu Jun（140） U.S. policy during this period evolved from one of supporting the Marcos regime (1981-latter half of 1983) to one of pressurizing Marcos to start reforms (latter half of 1983-end of 1985) and to one of supporting the opposition (1986). Two factors were behind the adjustments: a desire to influence the democratization trend in the third world so that it will develop in the direction favorable to the West; and an urgent need to explore new ways to sustain unstable but pro-American regimes in light of reduced U.S. capabilities to intervene in the third world affairs.