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.

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Fontenrose quoted in RadioFreeEurope on the rivalry between regional powers to fill the power vacuum in Afganistan

Dispatches Feb 2, 2026

What to know about the US-India trade deal

By Michael Kugelman, Mark Linscott

Our experts explain what the preliminary US-India trade deal announced on Monday means for the future of the two countries’ ties.
Economy & Business India
Fontenrose quoted in RadioFreeEurope on the rivalry between regional powers to fill the power vacuum in Afganistan

Dispatches Jan 29, 2026

What the Indo-Pacific thinks of the new US National Defense Strategy

By Atlantic Council experts

Our Indo-Pacific experts share how US allies and partners in the region are reacting to the United States’ latest National Defense Strategy, which calls for them to take on a more active role in their own security.
Conflict Defense Policy
Fontenrose quoted in RadioFreeEurope on the rivalry between regional powers to fill the power vacuum in Afganistan

Dispatches Jan 27, 2026

TikTok’s new ownership structure doesn’t solve security concerns for Americans

By Kenton Thibaut

The deal does little to address the systemic challenges of information manipulation, foreign influence, and data exploitation on the platform.
China Defense Technologies

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.

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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.

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Events

Public Event Thu, February 12, 2026 • 11:00 am ET

Congressman John Moolenaar on deterring aggression against Taiwan

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, discusses how the United States and Taiwan can strengthen deterrence in the Taiwan Strait.
China Defense Industry Defense Policy Indo-Pacific
Public Event Tue, February 10, 2026 • 12:00 pm ET

Global Foresight 2036: What will the next decade bring?
China Economy & Business Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
Public Event Tue, February 3, 2026 • 12:30 pm ET

Tibetan democracy (in exile): religious freedom and political empowerment
Central Asia China Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights
Public Event Wed, January 28, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Taiwan’s critical role in global supply chains and the future of US-Taiwan ties
Economy & Business Energy & Environment Indo-Pacific Politics & Diplomacy

Content

In the News

Dec 25, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in RadioFreeEurope on the rivalry between regional powers to fill the power vacuum in Afganistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

Report

Dec 23, 2021

Proactively countering North Korea’s advancing nuclear threat

By Markus Garlauskas

Markus Garlauskas suggests a strategy to counter North Korean nuclear weapons by impeding the growth of its arsenal, investing to stay ahead of new nuclear threats, and adjusting operations on the Korean Peninsula.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

In the News

Dec 22, 2021

Kroenig in Strategic Studies Quarterly on emerging technology and nuclear stability

By Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center Deputy Director Matthew Kroenig writes on the impact of new technology on strategic stability.

Arms Control China

Issue Brief

Dec 22, 2021

Beyond the peninsula: US-ROK cooperation on digital connectivity in the Indo-Pacific

By Miyeon Oh

This issue brief examines digital connectivity efforts through a snapshot of Indonesia and Vietnam to show how China’s neighbors in Asia are on different trajectories in response to US-China strategic competition.

China Digital Policy

Report

Dec 22, 2021

Seizing the advantage: A vision for the next US national defense strategy

By Clementine G. Starling-Daniels, Tyson Wetzel, Christian Trotti

In this latest installment of the Atlantic Council Strategy Papers series, Forward Defense’s Clementine Starling, Lt Col Tyson Wetzel, and Christian Trotti articulate their vision and recommendations for the next US National Defense Strategy, including clearer prioritization, investments and divestments, reposturing of US forces, a new warfighting concept, and a focus on transnational threats like hybrid warfare and climate change.

China Defense Industry

In the News

Dec 21, 2021

Cooper in Breaking Defense on deterrence during Great Power Competition

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Scott Cooper writes on the importance of air power to deterrence in the context of great power competition with Russia and China.

China Conflict

In the News

Dec 21, 2021

NRSF Javid Ahmad in The Hill: Pakistan is opening a dangerous Pandora’s box with the Taliban

By Atlantic Council

Indo-Pacific Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2021

The US can lead the way to ending China’s modern slavery. My brother is counting on it.

By Rayhan Asat

Moral arguments have been unable to sway global firms—so it’s time for the full force of the US government to step in.  

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2021

Can China’s Communist Party defuse its demographic time bomb?

By Dexter Tiff Roberts

For both China’s leaders and its people, the trials of an aging population will define the decades to come.

China Economy & Business
President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of China Xi Jinping look on during a signing ceremony.

Report

Dec 21, 2021

Axis of collusion: The fragile Putin-Xi partnership

By Harley Balzer

The close relationship between the leaders of Russia and China drives what many think is a developing Sino-Russian alliance, but tensions over deep issues remain. Just how close are these great powers?

Central Asia China
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Anoka Abeyrathne

Senior Regional Coordinator, Asia, Change.org

Millennium Leadership Program

Indo-Pacific Resilience & Society

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Grace Abuhamad

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Internet

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Alexander Alden

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy English

Fellow

Léonie Allard

Visiting Fellow

Europe Center

Africa Chinese
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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
Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals