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

North Korea Tests: Why? What Now?

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

North Korea Tests: Why? What Now?

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

North Korea Tests: Why? What Now?

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

New Atlanticist

May 26, 2009

North Korea Tests: Why? What Now?

By James Joyner

Over what, for Americans, was a long holiday weekend, North Korea tested another nuclear device and followed that up by firing two more short-range ballistic missiles, moves sure to heighten fear among its neighbors and further isolate the regime.   The question most observers are asking is Why now?

Korea

New Atlanticist

Apr 14, 2009

North Korea and Iran Nuclear Talks on Different Path to Same Destination

By James Joyner

Efforts to stem progress in the nuclear programs of two members of the erstwhile Axis of Evil are going in decidedly different directions.  North Korea has pulled out of the Six-Party talks while negotiations with Iran appear ready to get underway.

Korea

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2009

Public Relations, North Korean Style

By Patrick deGategno

North Korea’s launch of a Taep’odong-2 prototype intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) over the weekend was a political success for the Kim Jong-Il regime on a series of levels. The North effectively used international law to test its missile technology, the Obama administration, and the resolve of UNSC and the other 5 members of the Six-Party […]

Korea Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Apr 8, 2009

Stopping a Nuclear North Korea and Iran

By Harlan Ullman

North Korea’s unsuccessful attempt to put a communications satellite in space last week was doubtlessly timed to throw a monkey wrench into President Barack Obama’s visit to Europe.

Korea

New Atlanticist

Apr 5, 2009

How Serious is the North Korean Threat?

By Don Snow

As long anticipated, North Korea test fired a Taepodong rocket hours ago, which President Obama termed “a threat to the northeast Asian region and to international peace and security.”  Is that really so? Don Snow published the following analysis yesterday afternoon, viewing the test prospectively.

Korea Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Mar 24, 2009

China: We Need New World Currency

By James Joyner

Zhou Xiochuan, head of China’s central bank, published a paper yesterday urging the creation of an international reserve currency independent of the dollar and under the control of the International Monetary Fund.

China
Unemployed FDR Memorial

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2009

Countries with Best Unemployment Benefits

By James Joyner

FP’s Annie Lowrey notes that, “As many as 50 million people could be out of work by the end of 2009. But the unemployed in some countries definitely have it better than others.”

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2009

North Korea Closer to Missile Test

By James Joyner

Yet more disturbing news on the Korean missile front: North Korea has built an underground fueling facility near a key launch pad, a news report said Thursday, making it harder for spy satellites to detect signs that a missile is being prepared for launch.

Korea Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2009

Bad News for U.S.-Russia Arms Control?

By Peter Cassata

A group of Russian navy officials were caught trying to smuggle $18 million worth of anti-submarine and aviation missiles into China, although the level of official involvement in both countries remains unknown.  The cargo was found in Tajikistan, where Russia maintains a military base.

China Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 20, 2009

Kim Jong-il’s Successor Named

By Peter Cassata

Kim Jong-un, the 25-year-old youngest son of dictator Kim Jong-il, is the likely heir to North Korea’s police state, according to reports emerging from the Korean peninsula.

Korea
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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

Former 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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