East Asia

For more than seventy years, East Asia has been the nexus of US presence and engagement in Asia. Today, the region is becoming a hotbed for the return of great power competition, with long-term US allies and partners like Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan next door to competitors and challengers including China, Russia, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. While East Asia continues to navigate a number of longstanding traditional security issues, it must also address the rise of online disinformation, competition to pioneer emerging technologies, and more.

Explore
Kroenig and Ashford debate responses to advancements in North Korean nuclear capabilities

New Atlanticist Mar 31, 2025

Dispatch from Hong Kong: How the ‘geoeconomic city’ is weathering global headwinds

By Josh Lipsky, Ananya Kumar

From Chinese and US economic growth to stablecoin regulations, a recent visit to Hong Kong offered important insights for two Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center experts.
China Digital Currencies
Kroenig and Ashford debate responses to advancements in North Korean nuclear capabilities

New Atlanticist Mar 25, 2025

Reading between the lines of Taiwan’s new Quadrennial Defense Review

By Kitsch Liao

The recently released Quadrennial Defense Review offers a window into the Taiwanese military’s issues with prioritization, operational readiness, and manpower retention.
China East Asia
Kroenig and Ashford debate responses to advancements in North Korean nuclear capabilities

Report Mar 24, 2025

How Beijing uses inducements as a tool of economic statecraft

By William Piekos

As strategic competition between the United States and China intensifies, Washington and Beijing seek every possible advantage to gain an edge. In this environment, both countries are increasingly turning to economic statecraft—the use of economic coercion or inducement to pursue strategic goals—to advance their interests.
China Economy & Business

Programs

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s Indo-Pacific Security Initiative equips the transatlantic community to “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific and to position the Atlantic Council to serve as the essential link between high-level transatlantic and Asian leaders and thinkers

EXPLORE THE Initiative

Content

In the News

May 2, 2023

Kroenig and Ashford debate responses to advancements in North Korean nuclear capabilities

On April 7, Foreign Policy published its biweekly "It's Debatable" column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and Emma Ashford assessing the latest news in international affairs.

Arms Control Korea

New Atlanticist

May 2, 2023

The United States is leaving an economic-statecraft vacuum in the Middle East

By Lesley Chavkin

China is stepping in to fill the void—with ramifications for Washington's global AML/CFT and sanctions efforts.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Issue Brief

May 1, 2023

US strategy and force posture for an era of nuclear tripolarity

By Keir Lieber, Daryl G. Press

Keir Lieber and Daryl Press lay out a vision for the future of US nuclear doctrine and strategy under the condition of nuclear tripolarity.

China Defense Policy

EnergySource

May 1, 2023

China’s wind industrial policy “succeeded”—but at what cost?

By Joseph Webster

China has the world's largest wind energy market in terms of generation and capacity. But China's emergence as the world's leading player in wind has been costly.

China Climate Change & Climate Action

In the News

Apr 28, 2023

<strong>Garlauskas, Whitlark, and Taylor in <em>Breaking Defense</em></strong>

On April 27, Markus Garlauskas, FD Nonresident Senior Fellow Rachel Whitlark, and IPSI Nonresident Fellow Jessica Taylor were featured in Breaking Defense for their comments in an Atlantic Council “Experts React” on a US-ROK nuclear-armed alliance.

Korea Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Apr 28, 2023

<strong>Taylor in <em>i</em></strong>

On April 28, IPSI Nonresident Fellow Jessica Taylor was featured in i news discussing the future of cooperative decision making with South Korea on nuclear deterrence as US elections approach.

Korea Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Apr 28, 2023

<strong>Garlauskas in <em>Politico</em></strong>

On April 27, Markus Garlauskas was featured in Politico for his remarks on confusion surrounding President Yoon’s comments that the United States had promised to employ nukes in order to defend South Korea from a North Korea nuclear attack. Markus suggested, “It’s helpful to add a little bit of clarity to declaratory policy.” 

Korea Nuclear Deterrence

In the News

Apr 28, 2023

<strong>Garlauskas in <em>WSJ</em></strong>

On April 27, Markus Garlauskas was quoted in The Wall Street Journal in relation to the nuclear issues surrounding the US-South Korea summit, noting that “North Korea has increasingly asserted its nuclear status as nonnegotiable and developed capabilities to make that a reality.” 

Korea Nuclear Deterrence

Econographics

Apr 27, 2023

The root causes of geopolitical fragmentation

By Hung Tran

Geoeconomic fragmentation is on the rise. Policymakers need to address the root causes: inequality left in the wake of globalization, and the crisis of trust between major countries.

Americas China

In the News

Apr 27, 2023

<strong>Cynkin in <em>WSJ </em>and<em> USA Today</em></strong>

On April 26, IPSI Nonresident Senior Fellow Tom Cynkin was quoted in The Wall Street Journal on South Korean officials’ response to the Pentagon document leaks. On April 23, he was interviewed by USA Today to discuss more on the leaks, particularly in the lead-up to President Yoon’s state visit.

Korea Security & Defense
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Experts

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic China

Fellow

Michael Allen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Cybersecurity

Fellow

Peter Arvo

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

China Human Rights

Staff

Rayhan Asat

Senior Legal & Policy Advisor, China Lead

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Central Asia China

Fellow

Kelsang (Kaydor) Aukatsang

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global China Hub

China Civil Society

Fellow

Jieun Baek

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Democratic Transitions Human Rights
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Events

Online Event Thu, March 5, 2026 • 11:00 am ET

How should the United States approach the China-Russia partnership?
China Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Russia