A next generation agenda: Bridging Asian and European perspectives on security

In partnership with the Korea Foundation, the Atlantic Council’s Indo-Pacific Security Initiative (IPSI) will conduct, “A Next Generation Agenda: Bridging Asian and European Perspectives on Security.” Following the success of the previous Next Generation Agenda research project, “A Next-Generation Agenda for US-ROK-Japan Cooperation,” this new project will provide relevant analyses of challenges in cooperation between South Korea and NATO countries and offer action-oriented recommendations on key areas in which the countries can cooperate to overcome these challenges. This next generation project presents a unique opportunity to provide a shared understanding of Korean, US, and European perspectives on key areas of cooperation ranging from traditional to non-traditional security issues.

As the geopolitical environment of the region and the world continue to change through the increasing nuclear and conventional threat of North Korea, the continued Russian war against Ukraine, and the recent news of Russia launching North Korean missiles, close coordination amongst allies and partners is essential to adapting and defending the rules-based international system. The United States and South Korea have long understood the importance of cooperation when it comes to deterring regional threats and bolstering a free and open Indo-Pacific, and European NATO countries appear to have come to the same realization as they consider their growing stakes in the region and global implications of an Indo-Pacific contingency.

The primary purpose – and differentiating feature – of this project is to develop an agenda for bridging regional perspectives amongst South Korea and NATO countries to improve cooperation. To that end, rather than focus on proposing rigid institutional structures, this project will take an impact-oriented approach to building collaboration and understanding between NATO countries and South Korea. It will focus on defining areas where targeted, flexible, and informal cooperative arrangements between the parties that can provide clear mutual benefit to all, creating a foundation for deeper collaboration moving forward. The key outcomes of this project will include the formation of a “Next Generation Network” of rising junior and mid-career experts. The network will convene for two private roundtables, the insights from which will lead the development of an in-depth issue brief to inform the new agenda. The final product will be unveiled at a public launch event that features next-generation speakers and explores the key analyses and recommendations developed over the course of the project.

Program eligibility

Early- to mid-career experts based in the United States, Europe, and South Korea working in foreign policy, international security, or Indo-Pacific studies are eligible to apply. Candidates will have the following background:

• A working expert with at least 2-8 years of experience in international relations.
• A keen interest in covering policy, security, technology, global trends, and/or economic and trade-related issues, with the ability to show past work in one of these areas.
• English language skills are required.

Application and selection process

A complete application package will include:

• A résumé or CV.
• A cover letter of not more than one single-sided page in length that includes the applicant’s area of interest.

How to apply

Please send all application materials in a single email to IndoPacificSecurity@AtlanticCouncil.org by March 22, 2024.

Expectations for Fellows

• Participants should be prepared to engage in two private, virtual roundtables with the next-generation network.
• Select fellows will have the opportunity to coauthor a publication and/or speak in a panel in the public launch event.

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