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

MENASource

Jun 3, 2025

India-Gulf relations are muted—but mobilizing

By Jonathan Fulton

The depth of Indian-Gulf relations creates a strong foundation for increased India-Middle East integration over the coming decades.

India Middle East

Econographics

Jun 2, 2025

Hong Kong highlights China’s policy of decoupling from US financial markets

By Jeremy Mark

The political benefits of an international financial center with Chinese characteristics will outweigh the pain that decoupling inflicts on China’s private sector.

China Economy & Business

EnergySource

Jun 2, 2025

MDBs must finance nuclear power—or Russia and China will

By Juzel Lloyd

The growing influence of Russia and China in global nuclear energy financing threatens to reshape the future of energy geopolitics. To address this, multilateral development banks must recognize nuclear energy as a vital tool for expanding energy access, and modernize outdated policies to support deployment.

China Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

May 30, 2025

Experts react: How the world is responding to the courtroom drama around Trump’s tariffs

By Atlantic Council experts

Several recent court rulings have complicated the US president's plans to impose sweeping tariffs—and US trading partners are watching.

Americas China

Issue Brief

May 30, 2025

New presidents and new nuclear developments test the United States–Republic of Korea alliance

By Heather Kearney, Amanda Mortwedt Oh

In the coming years, the US-South Korea (Republic of Korea, or ROK) alliance is likely to be tested in at least three fundamental ways: by a concerning growth in North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile weapons program; by changes to ROK defense capabilities and structures, including the establishment of ROK Strategic Command (ROKSTRATCOM); and by potential strategy and policy changes under new US and ROK political administrations.

Arms Control Elections

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2025

How the Taliban is using law for gender apartheid, and how to push back

By Wesna Saidy and Iavor Rangelov

To combat the Taliban’s institutionalization of gender apartheid, international actors must document the system of lawmaking that underpins the regime's human rights abuses.

Afghanistan International Norms

New Atlanticist

May 29, 2025

It is Europe’s time to shine on IMEC 

By Rachel Rizzo and Nicholas Shafer

The proposed corridor could reshape connectivity and trade throughout the globe. Europeans should jump at the opportunity to move it forward.

European Union India

In the News

May 29, 2025

Metzl discusses US student visa policy on CNN’s NewsNight

On May 29, Jamie Metzl, nonresident senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative, appeared on CNN’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip to discuss US visa policy. He emphasized the importance of thoroughly vetting individuals entering the country while also highlighting the need to retain top global talent. Metzl noted that doing so is critical to maintaining US […]

China Migration

New Atlanticist

May 28, 2025

Does the Nippon Steel deal reflect a new normal for foreign investment in the US?

By Sarah Bauerle Danzman

The big question now is if the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States process has changed in ways that will affect future deals.

Economy & Business Japan

In the News

May 28, 2025

Hammes speaks about China’s maritime expansion on Midrats podcast

On May 5, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow T.X. Hammes was a guest on the Midrats podcast. The episode, titled “China’s Overseas Bases & the Transition to War,” discusses how China continues to expand its ownership, access, and control of ports globally while simultaneously building the world’s largest navy and diverse set of military capabilities […]

China Conflict

Experts

Events