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

Inflection Points Today

Jan 30, 2025

DeepSeek poses a Manhattan Project–sized challenge for Trump

By Frederick Kempe

Reports of an artificial intelligence breakthrough by a Chinese company should be a wake-up call for the United States.

Artificial Intelligence China

Econographics

Jan 29, 2025

Is DeepSeek a proof of concept?

By Jessie Yin

Understanding how Deepseek emerged from China’s innovation landscape can better equip the US to confront China’s ambitions for global technology leadership.

Artificial Intelligence China

In the News

Jan 29, 2025

Soofer’s report ‘First, we will defend the homeland’ featured in Newsweek article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’

By Atlantic Council

On January 28, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer was quoted in a Newsweek article titled “Donald Trump’s Iron Dome Over US: What We Know.” The article features his recent Atlantic Council report, “‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense,” where he critiques existing defense systems and outlines the challenges […]

China Defense Policy

In the News

Jan 29, 2025

Soofer cited in New York Times article on Trump’s ‘Iron Dome’ Executive Order

By Atlantic Council

On January 28, Forward Defense senior fellow Robert Soofer was cited in a New York Times article entitled, “Trump Orders an ‘Iron Dome’-Style Defense System. Experts Are Skeptical.” The article quotes Soofer’s recent report, “‘First, we will defend the homeland’: The case for homeland missile defense” on how the “current approach to homeland missile defense […]

China Defense Policy

EnergySource

Jan 29, 2025

What China’s BYD really wants from EV investments in Mexico

By Haley Nelson

BYD, the world's largest EV manufacturer, is moving forward with plans to build a manufacturing plant in Mexico despite the country's ongoing trade friction with the US. This decision signals a wider strategy to embed Chinese influence in Mexico's energy infrastructure, given BYD's potential to dominate the market.

China Energy & Environment

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Jan 28, 2025

After the Monsoon Revolution, Bangladesh’s economy and government need major reforms

By Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak

In 2024, Bangladesh’s student-led “Monsoon Revolution” ousted an entrenched autocratic regime, marking a historic shift. Yet, with deep systemic corruption and political resistance, the road to stability remains uncertain.

Bangladesh Corruption

Strategic Litigation

Jan 28, 2025

Strategic Litigation Quarterly Newsletter: A look back at 2024

By Strategic Litigation Project

The latest updates on the Strategic Litigation Project's work advancing human rights and accountability.

Afghanistan China

New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2025

What DeepSeek’s breakthrough says (and doesn’t say) about the ‘AI race’ with China

By Kenton Thibaut

DeepSeek’s achievement has not exactly undermined the United States’ export control strategy, but it does bring up important questions about the broader US strategy on AI.

Artificial Intelligence China

Press Release

Jan 24, 2025

Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense program launches Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force

WASHINGTON, JANUARY 24, 2025 — The Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense program has convened former government officials and industry leaders on a Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force to address the opportunities that hypersonic capabilities offer to the United States to enhance deterrence and the challenges posed by adversary hypersonic capabilities. 

China Defense Policy

In the News

Jan 24, 2025

Webster in ChinaTalk: “Deepseek Meets Li Qiang, Data Labeling Subsidies, Taiwan’s Debt, Automation Optimism”

By Joseph Webster

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Experts

Events