- Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Securi...
- Patriot Eagle II
- Optional Viewing: North East Asia Security Dyn...
Optional Viewing: North East Asia Security Dynamics
Overview
Northeast Asia is a sub-region that remains plagued by negative historical legacies and ongoing political rivalries. Despite its remarkable economic growth and nascent attempts at political and economic integration, Northeast Asia is likely to be volatile in the short to mid-term (5-10 years) due to the destabilizing effects of some of the dominant trends impacting security dynamics in the sub-region. Within this context, we will examine some of the major factors affecting security dynamics in Northeast Asia
Objectives
- Examine major features and currents that shape geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific.
- Examine key factors influencing great power competition in the Indo-Pacific.
- In seminar, identify & evaluate options for US policymakers to effect strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
Speaker's Bios
Professor Michael Burgoyne U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (retired) joined the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in July 2016 as a Military Professor. His areas of focus at DKI APCSS are Security Cooperation, International Affairs, Taiwan, and China. His experience in the Asia-Pacific includes most recently serving as the Army Programs Officer at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Taipei. Before that, he was a university student in Beijing, an intern in the Defense Attaché Office in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, and an intern in the Liaison Affairs Section at AIT.
Email: burgoynem@apcss.org
Prof. Mike Burgoyne's Bio
Lieutenant Colonel Sila Pang joined the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) in July 2020 as a military faculty member. Prior to her arrival at the Center, Lieutenant Colonel Pang served as the Director of Manpower, Personnel, and Services for Seventh Air Force in Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea where she oversaw key programs supporting 8,900 Air Force personnel on the Korean peninsula. She spent most of her military career operating and traveling throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Her experiences include: Commander for Eighth Force Support Squadron in Kunsan Air Base, South Korea; Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Planner for Defense Threat Reduction Agency at Fort Belvoir, Virginia; and Staff Officer for the Manpower, Personnel and Services Directorate in the Pacific Air Force Command at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Lieutenant Colonel Pang holds a Master’s degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, Masters in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Texas.
Email: pangs@apcss.org
Lt Col Sila Pang's Bio
Resources:
- Yasuyo Sakata, “Japan-South Korea Relations and the Biden Factor,” Council on Foreign Relations, December 21, 2020.
- Nick Aspinwall, “US Brushes Off Chinese Threat That Taiwan Independence ‘Means War,’” The Diplomat, February 1, 2021.
- William Pesek, “US Sidelined as China, Korea and Japan Unite,” Asia Times, November 20, 2020.
- Kyle Ferrier, “Could RCEP Help Improve South Korea-Japan Relations,” The Diplomat, November 24, 2020.
- Trilateral summit in China brings together South Korean and Japanese leaders for the first time in over a year
About This Author

Other posts by this author
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Overview
The geopolitical structure of the Indo-Pacific could be said to be divided into four broad features. The first of these is the maritime nature of the system, which compels both internal and external powers to align around the geography of the system and sub-regional systems. The second feature is the US Alliance System (also known as the San Francisco System); the third is the integration that is taking place under regional architectures (such as ASEAN and PIF); and the fourth is the rise of large regional powers (such as China and India). The fact that neither China nor India quite belong to either the US Alliance system or to regional architecture makes them outliers. Also, the fact that China – historically a land-based power – is developing itself into a maritime economic and military power while also incrementally challenging the norms and rules upheld by the San Francisco System, defines many of the tensions, diplomacy, and crises of the region. Overall, the region could be said to be represented by the “Asian Paradox”: it is home to both the fastest growing economies while also representing some of the world’s most troubling security issues.
Objectives
- Examine major features and currents that shape geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific.
- Examine key factors influencing great power competition in the Indo-Pacific.
Speakers' Bios:
Dr. John Hemmings' areas of focus at DKI APCSS are Northeast Asian security, Japanese defence policy, the Indo-Pacific concept, alliance theory, and US alliances. He takes a special interest in 5G and national security. He was the founding Director of the Asia Studies Centre and Deputy Research Director at the Henry Jackson Society, a trans-Atlantic think tank in London. While he was at the Henry Jackson Society, Dr. Hemmings co-authored a study on Huawei, 5G and the Five Eyes, multiple studies on the Indo-Pacific, and coordinate a project on diplomacy on the Korean peninsula.
Email: hemmingsj@apcss.org
Dr. John Hemming's Bio
Dr. Virginia Bacay Watson's areas of interest and publication include science, technology and security in the Asia-Pacific region, water security, and Southeast Asia geopolitics. She has held appointments at the University of Denver and Colorado School of Mines and served as an exchange faculty for the University of Colorado in Beijing, China, as well as a consultant on issues pertaining to her professional areas of interest. She is the editor of DKI APCSS’ first e-book, The Interface of Science, Technology, and Security (2012). Dr. Watson holds a master’s degree in Asian Studies from Cornell University and a doctorate in International Studies from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies.
Email: watsonv@apcss.org
Dr. Virginia Watson's Bio
Resources:
- Critical technologies and the Indo-Pacific: A new India-Australia partnership
- Malcolm Davis, “Australia as a rising middle power,” (Singapore: RSIS Working Papers No 328, April 2020)
- The Great Game 2.0 in Asia: Stakes go up
- The State of Southeast Asia: 2021 Survey Report
- Jeffrey Ordaniel, Advancing a rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific (Pacific Forum, Issues and Insights, July 2021 V21 SR2).
- Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
- Interim National Security Strategic Guidance
- Summary of the 2018 National Defense Strategy
- Victor Cha, Powerplay: The origins of the American alliance system in Asia (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2016).
- Elizabeth Economy, The Third Revolution: Xi Jinping and the new Chinese state (University of Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020).
- Lawrence Freedman, The Future of War: A history (UK: Penguin Random House, 2017).
- John Hemmings and Peter Varnish, "Evolving the Five Eyes: Opportunities and Challenges in the New Strategic Landscape" (MacDonald Laurier Institute, September 2021).
- "China's Interests in Afghanistan" (Council of Geostrategy, August 2021).
- "US Command and Control Across the Spectrum of Gray-Zone Operations" (National Bureau of Asian Research, Special Report, May 2021).
- Matthew Kroenig, The Return of Great Power Rivalry (University of Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020).
- Mira Rapp-Hooper, Shields of the Republic: The triumph and peril of America’s alliances (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2020).
- Anne-Marie Slaughter, The Chessboard and the Web (Yale University Press, 2017).
- Virginia Watson, “Modernizing Alliances,” in Advancing a rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific (Pacific Forum Issues and Insights, July 2021 V21 SR2) 34-37.
- Virginia Watson, “The Fourth Industrial Revolution and its Discontents: Governance, Big Tech, and the Digitization of Geopolitics,” in Alexander Vuving, ed., Hindsight, Insight, Foresight: Thinking about security in the Indo-Pacific (Honolulu: DKI APCSS September 2020): 38-48.
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Overview:
As the primary elements of national power and influence, Defense, Development, and Diplomacy (3D) provide the foundation for promoting national security interests abroad. In the United States, 3D efforts are led respectively by the Department of Defense, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of State. While these organizations share the National Security Strategy as their highest-level strategic guidance, they have distinct perspectives on the trends, challenges and opportunities facing the Indo-Pacific region. Their responses to these conditions also vary, based on their distinct missions, authorities and organizational cultures. Understanding and aligning these elements into a holistic vision is a prerequisite to advancing the U.S. strategic approach to the Indo-Pacific region.
Objectives:
- Understand the 3D roles of defense, diplomacy and development to advancing U.S. strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Evaluate trends, opportunities, & challenges in advancing U.S. objectives through the lenses of defense, development and diplomacy.
Speaker's Bios:
Pete Gumataotao became the Director, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) in February 2018. A native of Guam, RADM (Ret) Gumataotao joined the Navy in 1976 and attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island. He is a 1981 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and earned his Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in 1994. His U.S. Naval decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (five awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), and other personal, unit, and campaign awards.
Email: gumataotaop@apcss.org
Director Gumataotao's Bio
Dr. W. Brent Christensen joined the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) in September 2021. This is the second time he has served in this role at APCSS, where he served previously 2015-17. Dr. Christensen has been in the U.S. Foreign Service for over 30 years and most recently served as the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan 2018-21. He was Deputy Director of the American Institute in Taiwan 2012-15. Prior to that, he was Director of the State Department’s Office of Taiwan Coordination. He has served three assignments at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the most recent being Environment, Science, Technology, and Health Counselor. Dr. Christensen is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and holds the personal rank of Minister-Counselor. He earned an M.A. in East Asian Studies from George Washington University, a B.A. in Chinese language and literature from Brigham Young University, and a DMD degree from the Oregon Health and Sciences University. He has received a number of State Department awards, including the 2020 Charles E. Cobb Award for Initiative and Success in Trade Development.
Email: christensenw@apcss.org
Dr. W. Brent Christensen's bio
Lori Forman joined the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) in 2011, bringing a unique international background in corporate, government, academic and non-profit sectors. An expert on international economic development and foreign aid, civil society and public-private partnerships, Dr. Forman earned a Ph.D. from the Faculty of Law, Keio University, and a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University. Prior to joining APCSS Lori held senior corporate positions with Microsoft and Dubai Holding. In government she held senior positions including the U.S. Alternate Executive Director on the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank and Assistant Administrator for Asia and Near East of the US Agency for International Development. Dr. Forman also served in the NGO sector for 11 years, as the Director of the Japan Program of The Nature Conservancy, one of the world’s largest environmental organizations. Dr. Forman began her post-graduate career in Washington D.C., serving as the Senior Political Analyst for the White House pollster.
Email: formanl@apcss.org
Dr. Lori Forman's Bio
Resources:
US Official Documents
- Interim U.S. National Security Strategy
- U.S. National Defense Strategy (2018)
- Asia Reassurance Initiative Act 2018
US Views on What Should be in the Next NDS
- From The Atlantic Council
- From the Center for New American Security
- From Brookings Institution
- From War on the Rocks
Non-US views on What Should be Part of the Next US Indo-Pacific Strategy
- Sasakawa Peace Foundation -- Biden’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: Expectations and Challenges
- The Diplomat – Beyond Alliance Repair: Biden Must Do More in the Indo-Pacific
- The United States Studies Centre – Correcting the Course: How the Biden Administration Should Compete for Influence in the Indo-Pacific
- ISEAS – The Quad and the Indo-Pacific: Going Slow to Go Further
- Lowy Institute – Biden’s Doughnut-Shaped Indo-Pacific Strategy
- German Marshall Fund – U.S.-Europe-India Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
3D Approaches Outside the US
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Overview:
This panel looks at three members of the Quad and examines their approaches toward the Indo-Pacific, both as a framework for understanding the region and as a strategy for managing the risks inherent in China's rise. Japan's role in constructing and developing the Indo-Pacific concept is examined by Dr Hemmings, and its implications for its wider grand strategy. Dr. Al Oehlers looks at how Australia further developed the concept in its strategy for the region, propelling it into the mainstream. Finally, Dr Sitaraman examines India's role in shaping the concept and its privileged position inherent in the new framing. How does India's rise impact regional dynamics? Lastly, the Panel will examine the impact of the emerging AUKUS defense collaboration. Is the AUKUS just a nuclear submarine deal or is it something more?
Objectives:
- Examine Australia, India and & Japan’s strategic approaches to the Indo-Pacific and their practices of diplomacy, development, and defense to advance their security objectives.
- Examine trends, opportunities, & challenges in advancing partners’ strategic approaches to the Indo-Pacific.
Speakers' Bio:
Dr. Alfred Oehlers is a specialist in the political economy of economic growth and development, with reference to the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. His teaching has ranged widely during his career, spanning courses as diverse as international business, economics, politics, public policy, international relations, Asian studies, history, and other social sciences. He has taught at Massey University in New Zealand, Macquarie University, the University of Sydney in Australia, and the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Helsinki, Finland.
Email: oehlersa@apcss.org
Dr. Al Oehlers' Bio
Dr. Srini Sitaraman's focus is on the Indo-Pacific Security with a particular focus on South Asia, Regional Conflict, and India-China Relations. He is also interested in New Technologies & International Security, Internet and Digital Diplomacy, Nonproliferation, and the United Nations and International Law.
Email: sitaramans@apcss.org
Dr. Srini Sitaraman's Bio
Dr. John Hemmings' areas of focus at DKI APCSS are Northeast Asian security, Japanese defence policy, the Indo-Pacific concept, alliance theory, and US alliances. He takes a special interest in 5G and national security. He was the founding Director of the Asia Studies Centre and Deputy Research Director at the Henry Jackson Society, a trans-Atlantic think tank in London. While he was at the Henry Jackson Society, Dr. Hemmings co-authored a study on Huawei, 5G and the Five Eyes, multiple studies on the Indo-Pacific, and coordinate a project on diplomacy on the Korean peninsula.
Email: hemmingsj@apcss.org
Dr. John Hemmings' Bio
Resources:
- Oriana Skylar Mastro and Zack Cooper, “In defence of AUKUS,” Lowy Institute, The Interperter, 5th October 2021
- C. Raja Mohan, “AUKUS, the Quad, and India’s Strategic Pivot,” Foreign Policy, 23rd September 2021
- AUKUS and the Quad: Shifting Power Play in the Indo-Pacific, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), 30th September 2021
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison, “A World Order that Favours Freedom”, address to the Perth USASIA Center, 9 June 2021
- Jane Hardy, "Australia's Role in the Indo-Pacific," Indo-Pacific Defense Forum, November 11, 2019
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, "2017 Foreign Policy White Paper," Canberra: DFAT, 2017, (see "Overview" pp.1-8)
- Hiroyuki Suzuki, “Japan’s Role in a Multipolar Indo-Pacific", CSIS Commentary, 23 October, 2020
- Department of Defence, Australia, "2020 Defence Strategic Update", Canberra: MoD, 2020, (see "Executive Summary" pp.5-7, and "Chapter 1: Australia's changing strategic environment" pp.11-17)