East Asia

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.

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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
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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
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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

SouthAsiaSource

Mar 9, 2023

<strong>With Pakistan’s economy in freefall, Chinese economic and military influence is likely to grow in the country</strong>

By Uzair Younus

This essay explores the potential impact of the ongoing crises on the China-Pakistan relationship and its implications for US-Pakistan bilateral relations, especially in the context of the growing strategic competition between the United States and China.

China Economy & Business

EnergySource

Mar 8, 2023

Chinese refining markets 101—and their implications for price caps on Russian oil

By Joseph Webster

Price caps on Russian crude and oil products have placed Chinese refineries in the spotlight. Their historical tendencies and political connections could shed light on what to expect from them as the oil market reorients itself.

China Energy & Environment

In the News

Mar 7, 2023

“Can India Be America’s Ally Against China?” Nonresident Senior Fellow Michael Schuman for The Atlantic

On February 20, Nonresident Fellow Tuvia Gering was quoted in the South China Morning Post on Iranian President Raisi's visit to Beijing.

China India

In the News

Mar 7, 2023

Kroenig in the Wall Street Journal discussing strategies against nuclear-armed rivals

On March 1, Scowcroft director Matthew Kroenig penned a Wall Street Journal op-ed discussing the compounded threat that nuclear-armed rivals Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China pose to the US. Kroenig highlights recent developments in each country’s nuclear programs and concludes with a call for the US to strengthen its own strategic forces to better […]

China Iran

Report

Mar 7, 2023

Fractured foundations: Assessing risks to Hong Kong’s business environment

By Logan Wright

The report analyzes in detail the risks to the commercial operating environment in Hong Kong that have emerged since the 2020 introduction of the National Security Law.

China East Asia

In the News

Mar 6, 2023

Vershbow featured in The Hill on a call for muscular containment against China

By Alexander Vershbow

On March 6, Transatlantic Security Initiative distinguished fellow Alexander Vershbow’s New Atlanticist publication was referenced in The Hill for its call for muscular containment against China. 

China Europe & Eurasia

EnergySource

Mar 6, 2023

Beauty and the beast: Implications of the US-China tech war on climate and energy

By Jennifer Lee

US-China tech tensions could have ripple effects on decarbonization efforts. Tech competition could provide benefits, but if left unmitigated, it could also hinder both countries' energy transitions.

China Energy & Environment

In the News

Mar 6, 2023

Tran cited in Chatham House report on climate action in China

Read the full report here.

China Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Mar 6, 2023

China in Sub-Saharan Africa: Reaching far beyond natural resources

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou and Naomi Aladekoba

What are the implications of China's expanding involvement in Sub-Saharan Africa's investment, trade, cultural, and security landscape?

Africa China

In the News

Mar 3, 2023

Webster in The China-Russia Report: Will China’s emergence from COVID lockdowns send European gas prices soaring?
China Energy & Environment
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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 Fri, May 29, 2026 • 8:00 am ET

A framework for US-Japan cooperation in the Arctic
Energy & Environment Japan Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
Public Event Wed, June 3, 2026 • 4:00 pm ET

Upgrading transregional defense partnerships: A cross-strait and beyond seminar
Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense Security Partnerships
Public Event Fri, June 12, 2026 • 4:30 pm ET

Privileged but Powerless: Jieun Baek on Pyongyang’s greatest weakness
East Asia Human Rights Indo-Pacific Korea