Indo-Pacific

Encompassing the nations of South and East Asia, the Indo-Pacific holds some of the greatest promise and most difficult challenges in the world. Home to some of the fastest-growing economies, greater trade links and development cooperation are positioning the region to be the driver of economic growth in the next century. Lingering conflicts and growing geopolitical competition between the region’s powers, however, could endanger the stability of the region and limit its potential global leadership.

Projects

Close up of tiger

The Tiger Project: War and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific

Explore the Atlantic Council’s work on current and enduring defense and deterrence issues in the Indo-Pacific, featuring expert commentary, multimedia content, and in-depth analysis.

Explore the programs

The Global China Hub tracks Beijing’s actions and their global impacts, assessing China’s rise from multiple angles and identifying emerging China policy challenges. The Hub leverages its network of China experts around the world to generate actionable recommendations for policymakers in Washington and beyond.

The Indo-Pacific Security Initiative (IPSI) informs and shapes the strategies, plans, and policies of the United States and its allies and partners to address the most important rising security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including China’s growing threat to the international order and North Korea’s destabilizing nuclear weapons advancements. IPSI produces innovative analysis, conducts tabletop exercises, hosts public and private convenings, and engages with US, allied, and partner governments, militaries, media, other key private and public-sector stakeholders, and publics.

Events

Content

Econographics

Nov 7, 2025

Pharmaceuticals are China’s next trade weapon

By Niels Graham

China supplies most critical drug ingredients to the US, and the dependency is only growing. After the rare earths truce, pharma is an area to watch.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2025

Gen Z protests have spread to seven countries. What do they all have in common?

By Will Mortenson

While the root causes vary, the data reveal several broad similarities among the countries that have seen massive Gen Z protest movements in recent months.

Africa Corruption

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2025

How South Korea advanced its trade and technology agenda at the APEC summit

By Kayla T. Orta

South Korea leveraged its diplomatic influence to strengthen Seoul’s standing within the multilateral economic framework and secure trade deals with the United States.

Economy & Business Indo-Pacific

In the News

Nov 4, 2025

Galicia advocates for “networked deterrence” to counter China in the Indo-Pacific

On September 23, Scowcroft Center program assistant Bailey Galicia published an article with the Irregular Warfare Initiative titled, “Austronesian Identity as ‘Networked Deterrence’ in the Indo-Pacific.” He explores the potential of leveraging shared cultural identity in the Indo-Pacific to counter Chinese gray zone actions. The article won third place in the Irregular Warfare Initiative’s 2025 […]

China Indo-Pacific

Issue Brief

Nov 4, 2025

A next-generation agenda: South Korea-US-Australia security cooperation

By Lauren D. Gilbert, Kester Abbott, Hannah Heewon Seo

Growing collaboration and cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Australia could be key to maintaining security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The Atlantic Council and the Korea Foundation gathered rising experts from the United States, South Korea, and Australia to identify obstacles to that cooperation and opportunities to overcome them.

Australia Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Nov 3, 2025

US power utilities must prepare for a crisis in the Indo-Pacific. Here’s how they can start.

By Victor Atkins, Markus Garlauskas

The private sector—not just the government and military—must prepare for attacks on the US electrical grid resulting from a geopolitical crisis in the Indo-Pacific.

Cybersecurity Geopolitics & Energy Security

New Atlanticist

Oct 31, 2025

How will Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ approach foreign policy?

By Kyoko Imai

While new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is a protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she will need to chart her own course for Tokyo in a changed world.

East Asia Indo-Pacific

Fast Thinking

Oct 30, 2025

Trump and Xi brokered a truce in the trade war. Will it hold?

By Atlantic Council

The Chinese and US presidents met on October 30 in South Korea, where it appears tensions over tariffs and other economic measures have calmed.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Oct 30, 2025

Kroenig in Foreign Policy urges United States to not extend New START

On October 16, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig published an article in Foreign Policy titled, “It’s Time to Stop New START.” He argues that the Trump administration should not extend the nuclear arms control treaty with Russia and should instead expand its nuclear arsenal to deter China.

Arms Control China

New Atlanticist

Oct 30, 2025

Experts react: What does the Trump-Xi meeting mean for trade, technology, security, and beyond?

By Atlantic Council experts

The US and Chinese presidents met on Thursday to discuss issues ranging from tariffs to TikTok. Atlantic Council experts break down what came out of the tête-à-tête.

China Geopolitics & Energy Security

Experts

Events