indo-pacific Archives - Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies

Rethinking the Approach to Security Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

By APCSS Editor|2023-09-29T15:00:00-10:00September 29th, 2023|

By Col. Jonathan B. Warr The “tyranny of distance and time” compounded with China’s mature anti-access / area denial (A2/AD) capabilities creates significant challenges to the Joint Force in a conflict with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).[1] Moreover, Joint Forces are concentrated in northeast Asia and not necessarily well-postured for the current competitive environment or the adversary.[2] Should conflict with China occur, the PLA could rapidly attack and seize territory before the U.S. and allies could effectively respond, presenting a “fait accompli.”[3] More worrisome is that this posture and geography problem set makes deterrence against such aggression increasingly more difficult. [...]

A Comparative Survey of Security Approaches Toward Unexplained Aerial Phenomena Across the Indo-Pacific

By APCSS Editor|2023-07-27T13:40:44-10:00June 2nd, 2023|

By John E. Reiss[1] Abstract The number of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) reports by international military personnel has steadily increased in recent years. At the same time, many governments have openly begun investigating UAPs. Across the Indo-Pacific, many major powers have independently developed similar approaches toward dealing with individual UAP events. This perspective paper surveys several recent UAP events and explores how different Indo-Pacific countries address the potential threat posed by UAPs. Introduction In 2021, the government of the United States, through the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), confirmed that videos taken by naval aviators depicting Unidentified Aerial [...]

Recommendations from Papua New Guinea on How to Improve U.S. Posture in the Pacific

By APCSS Editor|2021-02-11T16:35:38-10:00February 11th, 2021|

By Deon Canyon[1] Michael Kabuni[2] Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a strategic asset in the Indo-Pacific geopolitical map and will continue to be used by Beijing, Washington, and Canberra until it picks a side, and probably even beyond that. The key reasons underlying the pursuit of PNG relate to gaining economic advantage and hegemonic dominance. PNG rightly expects that Washington, together with Canberra, would give as much ‘carrot’ as possible to Port Moresby rather than ‘stick’ for fear of losing an important ally to Beijing. Beijing is expected to apply the same amount of caution in preserving its positive external [...]

A Network of Maritime Fusion Centers Throughout the Indo-Pacific

By APCSS Editor|2021-02-11T15:39:08-10:00February 11th, 2021|

By Deon Canyon PhD DBA MPH FACTM, Capt. Wade Turvold, U. S. Navy (Ret.) Capt. Jim McMullin, U.S. Navy* Summary Indo-Pacific maritime initiatives are urgently required to meet growing transboundary threats to international security. The establishment of a national maritime fusion center in the U.S. and a network of similar centers across the Indo-Pacific region would significantly advance maritime security cooperation. The lack of such centers hinders all nations from effectively developing a common operating picture that is required to protect the rules-based international order. This network must be empowered collectively to strengthen international law. Our ever-increasingly complex world changed [...]

The Evolving Significance of Afghanistan in China’s Strategic Calculus: From an Insignificant ‘Backyard’ to a Consequential Geostrategic Hub

By APCSS Editor|2020-11-24T16:01:02-10:00November 24th, 2020|

This article addresses how Afghanistan may shift its strategic outlook to meet the shift in Beijing’s behavior, which is part of a broader strategy to expand and consolidate its influence in Central, South, and Western Asia. Abstract: Paradoxical to its historic no-interest policy, China’s projection of strategic influence in Afghanistan has become increasingly visible. This shift in Beijing’s behavior is part of a broader strategy to expand and consolidate its influence in Central, South, and Western Asia. Such a policy revision in China’s strategic calculus transforms Afghanistan into a geo-strategic ‘backyard,’ that consolidates China’s influential position in the country. Additionally, [...]

Competitive Security Gaming: Rethinking Wargaming to Provide Competitive Intelligence that Informs Strategic Competition and National Security

By APCSS Editor|2020-12-01T16:06:35-10:00November 24th, 2020|

This article illustrates how wargaming may be used to inform a higher-level strategy, rather than conflict. Summary Generating competitive intelligence to make intelligent decisions in a world increasingly facing complex security challenges is more difficult than ever before. Competitive Security Gaming reframes wargaming in terms of strategic, operational and tactical competition rather than conflict. Like business wargames, it produces quality insight into the reactions and strategies of competing actors. But unlike business games, it focuses on higher-level strategy, such as national security objectives, and is not driven by market value and financial gain. When it comes to operationalizing strategic competition [...]

Planning for Military Involvement in an Indo-Pacific Pandemic Vaccination Program

By APCSS Editor|2020-11-18T14:48:25-10:00November 18th, 2020|

This article addresses the pros, cons, and planning of military involvement in an Indo-Pacific Pandemic Vaccination Program. Summary The Indo-Pacific contains most of the world’s population and many frail health systems that may falter when it comes to implementing a vast global vaccination campaign against COVID-19. For decades, military medicine has pioneered vaccination programs and is aware of the complex ethical considerations involved. Military involvement in vaccination programs could do immeasurable harm to soft power efforts and international relations if mishandled. It is likely that the Oslo humanitarian doctrine, stipulating that foreign military assistance should only be used as a [...]

Advancing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

By APCSS Editor|2020-09-02T16:48:27-10:00September 2nd, 2020|

Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies 25th Anniversary Speaker Event “Hindsight, Insight, Foresight: Celebrating a Legacy to Educate, Connect, and Empower” Aug 26, 2020 - 05:30 PM Hawaii Combined with a moderated question and answer session. Transcription has been edited for readability. View/Download Document

Terrorism in the Indo-Pacific: The Year Gone by and the Road Ahead

By APCSS Editor|2020-04-02T11:21:08-10:00January 24th, 2020|

Key Points Significant developments of 2019 included attacks in Pulwama, Kashmir; Christchurch, New Zealand; the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka; and shootings in El Paso and at Naval Air Station Pensacola in the United States. Progress continues to be made in counter-terrorism (CT). In 2019, the number of attacks in the region continued to decline; numerous terrorist leaders were eliminated; international cooperation advanced; and several countries invested in ‘soft’ CT, including reintegration programs and negotiations. Looking ahead, terrorism may reignite in reaction to sensitive political issues in the region, including rising Hindu nationalism in India; China’s policies in Xinjiang; [...]

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