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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Asat joins NPR to discuss WTA’s condemnation for human rights abuses in China

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
Asat joins NPR to discuss WTA’s condemnation for human rights abuses in China

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
Asat joins NPR to discuss WTA’s condemnation for human rights abuses in China

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

Nov 30, 2021

Asat joins NPR to discuss WTA’s condemnation for human rights abuses in China

By Atlantic Council

China Human Rights

Issue Brief

Nov 30, 2021

Forward Defense symposium on deterring Chinese strategic attack

By Hans Binnendijk, Rebeccah Heinrichs, and Christopher Twomey

Hans Binnendijk, Rebeccah Heinrichs, and Christopher Twomey contribute issue briefs to a Forward Defense symposium on Chinese nuclear weapons and deterring Chinese strategic attack.

China Defense Policy

Report

Nov 30, 2021

Economic statecraft: Finance and money

By Dr. Carla Norrlöf

Using economics to achieve non-economic foreign policy objectives has become a dominant strategy for great powers in the post 9/11 world. The economic statecraft kit now includes a wide range of practices such as financial sanctions, coercive policies and inducements to defensive policies.

Australia China

In the News

Nov 30, 2021

Kroenig and Negrea advocate for a policy of confrontation with China in the National Interest

By Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center Deputy Director Matthew Kroenig speaks with Financial Times on China’s test of a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle.

China Conflict

Strategic Insights Memo

Nov 30, 2021

After Kabul: US and allied policy options in Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council and DT Institute

On September 1, 2021, the Atlantic Council and DT Institute ran an expert-driven matrix wargame to: (1) explore major policy dilemmas on the horizon after the US-led coalition withdrawal; and (2) forecast state behavior and assess emerging risks in the wake of the crisis. This Strategic Insights Memo captures the key takeaways from that wargame and the implications for great-power competition, regional security, and humanitarian issues in South Asia and the Middle East.

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Nov 30, 2021

Asat quoted in ProPublica on China cracking down on students who speak out in the US

By Atlantic Council

China Corruption

In the News

Nov 30, 2021

Schuman in The Atlantic: What the Peng Shuai Scandal Is Really About

By Atlantic Council

On November 30, 2021, Michael Schuman published a story in The Atlantic, “What the Peng Shuai Scandal Is Really About.” The piece explores how Beijing’s response to the scandal “undercuts its campaign to present the Chinese system as a model for the world.”

China Politics & Diplomacy

Report

Nov 30, 2021

Transatlantic tools: Harmonizing US and EU approaches to China

By Noah Barkin and Agatha Kratz

Cooperation between the US and the EU is essential if they are to develop effective responses to the challenges presented by China. However, there has been a lack of coordination in recent years. Nevertheless, this paper argues there is now an opportunity under the Biden Administration for the United States and Europe to learn from each other and harmonize some of their China-related efforts. 

China European Union

In the News

Nov 29, 2021

Schuman on the American Foreign Policy Council’s Great Power Podcast

By Atlantic Council

On November 29, 2021, Michael Schuman was interviewed for the American Foreign Policy Council’s Great Power Podcast about “the evolution of China’s strategic culture throughout its dynastic era – and how it shapes the Chinese Communist Party’s practice of foreign policy today.”

China Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Nov 29, 2021

Dr Riaz joined Tritiyo Matra for a discussion on the State of Democracy in South Asia

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Elections
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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