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🌏 New Article ! In the latest Quad Leaders' Summit, the dialogue between the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia has evolved from a loose discussion to a strong, strategic partnership aimed at promoting a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." But as this alliance strengthens, China is countering with strategic maneuvers that test the unity and resolve of the group. Poulina Banerjee ‘s latest piece dives into how Japan's power shift, as #ShigeruIshiba takes the reins of the #Kantei and India's strategic autonomy, could impact the Quad's cohesion, how the Quad has seen a difference American approach through Biden Administration’s multilateral approach in contrast, with Trump’s policies, the delicate balancing act in Southeast Asia, and what the future holds for the region's balance of power. 🇯🇵🇮🇳🇺🇸 📖 To read the article, click here : https://lnkd.in/dSWQNkCj 👉 Do share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion ! #IndoPacific #USForeignPolicy #Quad2024 #ChinaStrategy #GlobalSecurity #india #usa #japan #australia #biden #modi #trump

The diplomatic “honeymoon” between China and the U.S. continued after the establishment of formal relations. On January 31, 1979, just 30 days after diplomatic ties were established, U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping signed the U.S.-China Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement (STA), the first major accord between the two nations. At the time, one of the U.S.'s key objectives was to counter Soviet influence during the Cold War and later to help integrate China into the global system. Now, 45 years later, the fate of the agreement is uncertain. With the Soviet Union’s collapse and the end of the Cold War, one of the STA's original purposes has faded. The Biden administration has delayed its decision on the renewal until after Election Day on November 5. On the positive side, both countries are continuing discussions on the agreement.

Choose between stability and ‘downward spiral,’ China tells Blinken during Beijing trip By Jennifer Hansler and Simone McCarthy, CNN Updated 10:29 AM EDT, Fri April 26, 2024 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, April 26, 2024. CNN — Chinese leader Xi Jinping said the US and China should be “partners rather than adversaries” as he met with top American diplomat Antony Blinken in Beijing’s cavernous Great Hall of the People on Friday. The meeting, which took place on the final day of Blinken’s three–day visit to China, comes as the two countries seek to continue to stabilize rocky relations and expand communication – including on a host of contentions from technology to Taiwan. “China would like to see a confident, open and prosperous United States. We hope that the United States will view China’s development in a positive light,” Xi told Blinken. Anthony: I have a great deal of respect and admiration for President Xi. He is a good man and a great leader. The United States is not doing well. Our country is literally falling apart due to incompetence, rascism and greed. We should work with the Chinese. If we partner with them we will accomplish great things together.

🌐 U.S. elections and India’s diplomatic future: A perspective worth noting.. As the U.S. undergoes a pivotal election, the ripple effects will stretch far beyond American borders — impacting global relations, including those with India. Why it matters: - Economic Collaboration: U.S.-India trade ties, valued at over $100 billion annually, could evolve, opening new doors or reshaping existing alliances. - Technology Partnerships: India’s booming tech sector, coupled with the U.S.’s innovative landscape, presents endless potential for collaboration — provided diplomatic relations stay strong. - Regional Security: As geopolitical dynamics shift, India and the U.S. share mutual goals in the Indo-Pacific, making diplomatic stability essential. *(Here’s the big takeaway)* Diplomacy is a marathon, not a sprint. The decisions made in Washington today may drive new partnerships, opportunities, and challenges in New Delhi tomorrow. The global stage is watching closely. P.S. Repost ♻️ if you believe that international diplomacy impacts us all in surprising ways.

The transatlantic partnership stands at a crossroads, shaped by generational divides, shifting priorities, and the political dynamics of 2024, as revealed in a recent EUpinions survey by Bertelsmann Stiftung. While older generations in both Europe (63%) and the U.S. (59%) see each other as key allies, younger generations are less convinced, with only 38% of Europeans and 34% of Americans sharing this view. Global developments are hitting closer to home and Europeans are taking notice. A striking 63% of Europeans now believe it's time "to go our own way" - a dramatic shift from just 25% in 2017. Priorities also differ across the Atlantic: Europeans rank securing peace as the EU’s top task (20%), while Americans focus on protecting civil liberties (23%), though both agree on the importance of migration management. As the 2024 U.S. election adds strain to EU-U.S. ties, new leaders must navigate this pivotal moment carefully, or risk long-term consequences for the partnership. At the same time, Europe’s call for a stronger global role (73% of EU citizens) highlights its readiness to lead, even as NATO remains a cornerstone of security, with 64% of Europeans and 59% of Americans agreeing on its protective role. Strengthening this bond will require addressing these challenges and fostering unity across generations and priorities. Read the full report results here: https://lnkd.in/e89nyEdT

This is an interesting piece by my friend and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy classmate Scott Malcomson on how countries become enmeshed in a technology network that has both positive and negative implications. His point on how ASEAN countries are jostling to maximize their advantage in the US/China rivalry should be a key focus of US military policymakers. The smaller countries will sell themselves to the highest bidder, as we see with some island nations. When you are a poor country, you tend to place economic development ahead of ideals. Who will give them the best financial deal, the US or China? For the larger countries, a long-term strategic determinant is to ally with the ultimate winner. Unfortunately, unless the US and the West shift their priorities from debt-driven consumption toward strategic investment, the ultimate hegemonic winner increasingly looks like China. In a conflict, the country that can put the most ordinance on target wins. China already has the world's largest navy, and they have invested wisely in smaller rather than capital ships. They have a massive offensive missile capability. They can outbuild the US on pretty much anything made of steel. They can make more ammo than the West. And, to make up for their current lack of defense technology in some areas, they have infiltrated the US and West with innumerable technology moles, from actual humans (like the one who just got caught at Google) to the cellular transmitters on top of the cranes they have installed at US ports. Right now, China is moving in on the EEZs of The Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam with no consequences from the liberal world order. If you are Malaysia or Indonesia, with whom should you ally? Your heart may say the US, but your head is probably saying China. Look at how Singapore, the host of a US base, is doing the China dance now. We in the West need to wake up. Shannon Brandao Liza Tobin J. Scott Christian William Collins Eric Olander 欧瑞克 Christopher Sharman Kit Conklin Edo 慧人 Naito 内藤 Bryce Barros Wayne Junius Ozmore, Jr. Atlantic Council RAND Center for a New American Security (CNAS) Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Hudson Institute Peter W. Humphrey Howard Zhang Paul Kreutzer #china #foreignpolicy #nationalsecurity Dr Alicia H. 🏴☠️ Zachery Tyson Brown #china Matt Abrams American Enterprise Institute United States Department of Defense U.S. Department of State NATO The ASEAN Secretariat The Fletcher School at Tufts University

Richard Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, addressed concerns from China and Russia regarding the strengthening India-US relationship during his remarks at the Hudson Institute. He highlighted that this partnership promotes values such as inclusivity, peace, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, reflecting diverse voices in society. Verma attributed China and Russia's concerns to the transformative nature of the India-US alliance, which contrasts with the operational styles of adversaries and is recognized by President Joe Biden as the "defining relationship of this century." Verma also reminisced about a past remark from Biden, who suggested that if the US and India became close partners by 2020, global safety would improve. He indicated that their partnership is valuable not only for its military and economic components but because it stands for principles that are significant to people worldwide. Furthermore, Verma addressed the upcoming Quad summit, stating that it aims to enhance peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region. In his remarks on the Quad, Verma emphasized its commitment to positive technology uses and core principles, such as energy transition and a rules-based order, without adopting a military approach. He noted that India does not support a militarized focus for the Quad and expressed confidence that other platforms exist for addressing military issues. Verma characterized the Quad as a collaboration of like-minded countries, facilitating a novel framework for cooperation and security in the Indo-Pacific. Looking ahead, the fourth in-person Quad leaders summit will take place at President Biden's Delaware residence next week, furthering its significance in international relations. India is set to host the summit next year, reflecting the ongoing commitment to this initiative, which is a key aspect of President Biden’s foreign policy legacy. #AsiaRisk #GeopoliticalConflictandDisputes #India Follow us for daily updates on risk and operations in Asia! https://lnkd.in/gCxE8ggW

🗞 The Week Ahead by KI Insights: What we’re watching in the coming week #Ukraine 🤝 G20 Summit Nov. 18-19: Brazil seeks to position itself as a leading voice for LATAM and the Global South. Biden and Xi set to attend, while Lavrov steps in for Putin (on fears about the ICC warrant). #G20 #Brazil #GlobalSouth ➡ The G20 Summit comes on the heels of the APEC Summit in Peru, which focused heavily on China’s role “fighting protectionism” (ie lobbying against "Trump tariffs", sanctions), N. Korean war involvement, and Brazil’s pivot to Beijing. #APEC #China 💰 The Rada Nov. 19-22 plenary will focus on the 2025 Budget (based on an unsigned tax hike bill-that could be further delayed by election prospects-irking the IMF). Expect discussion on teachers vs. prosecutor salaries, local finance, road fund and decriminalizing porn etc. ➡ Parliament may also vote on the legal status for military paramedics and the procedure for writing off military property (notably relevant for decommissioning drones and EW kit). #Ukraine #DefensePolicy 🗳 Romania Election Nov. 24: PM Marcel Ciolacu leads (24.8% in recent poll), but leader of radical party AUR George Simion (with possible FSB links and opposing Ukraine aid, poses risks (21.3%), amid reports of Russian interference. #RomaniaElection #UkraineSupport 🏆 "UP 100" Awards Nov. 20: "Ukrainska Pravda" to honor 100 Ukrainians influencing Public Admin, Culture, Defense, and more, spotlighting the country’s resilience and innovation. #Ukraine #UP100 📜 Zelensky’s Internal Victory Plan: Zelensky is expected to unveil a 10-point internal strategy addressing energy, defense, and cultural resilience, developed with input from businesses and civil society. #Ukraine #VictoryPlan 📢 If you would like to add your event announcement, please get in touch with us at insights@kyivindependent.com -- The weekly analysis is part of our subscription package. You can read our full reports at https://lnkd.in/dT9dPtbG or sign up and receive them straight in your mailbox. KI Insights also offers commercial research services: due diligence, white-label reports, and tailored sectoral reports. For more details, reach out to us at insights@kyivindependent.com -- Photo: Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (L) and Romania's Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu (R) during Shmyhal's official visit to Bucharest, Romania, on Aug. 18, 2023. (Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images)

I'm really looking forward to participating in this discussion of "The Trump Factor: Assessing Quad Solidarity in the Indo-Pacific". Details below... The Australia India Institute invites you to a webinar on ‘The Trump Factor: Assessing Quad Solidarity in the Indo-Pacific' on Monday 2 December 2024 at 5pm AEDT. With the re-election of Donald Trump to the White House, the Quad stands at a critical juncture as the incoming US Administration presents significant geopolitical shifts for US engagement in the Indo-Pacific. In this webinar, leading experts in foreign policy will examine how these shifts in US foreign policy could reshape one of the region's most consequential multilateral groupings. Drawing on their extensive diplomatic and security expertise, the panel will address pressing questions about the resilience of the Quad partnership, the future of technology sharing, and implications for Indo-Pacific security architecture. Moderated by CEO of the Australia India Institute, Lisa Singh, hear from the diplomatic editor of the Hindu, Ms Suhasini Haidar, Professor of International relations at Griffith University, Prof Ian Hall and Fellow (non-resident) at the Hudson Institute, Dr Satoru Nagao. This webinar builds on from the Institute’s previous webinar, ‘Quad Leaders’ Summit 2023: Predictions and Possibilities.’ We look forward to hosting you for an insightful conversation on geopolitical shifts and the Quad. Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/gNpm4JdU

The Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States: A Comprehensive Approach to Regional Engagement The United States' approach to the Indo-Pacific region is a multifaceted strategy that aims to strengthen alliances, foster economic growth, and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. The strategy is built on the foundation of America's enduring commitment to the region, which is home to some of the world's most dynamic economies and critical international trade routes. At the core of this strategy is the United States' commitment to its allies and partners. Recent initiatives have seen significant advancements in defense and security cooperation. For instance, the Emerging Leaders’ Defense Fellowship Program for Southeast Asia aims to cultivate the next generation of defense leaders. Additionally, the U.S. has completed a multi-year trilateral exercise plan with Japan and the Republic of Korea, enhancing regional military interoperability and readiness. The Indo-Pacific strategy also emphasizes economic engagement. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is a prime example of this, with fourteen founding member nations collaborating to foster economic prosperity in the region. This framework reflects the United States' commitment to economic partnerships that are sustainable and inclusive. Environmental concerns are also addressed within the strategy, recognizing the unique challenges faced by Pacific Island nations. The United States acknowledges the need for a collective response to climate change and its impact on regional stability. The strategy is not just about defense and economics; it's about building a network of nations that share common values and visions for the future. The United States continues to support the sovereignty and independence of nations in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring that they are not coerced by more powerful neighbors. In conclusion, the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States is a testament to the country's long-term commitment to peace, prosperity, and stability in the region. It is a comprehensive plan that combines military, economic, and diplomatic efforts to create a collaborative and secure environment for all nations involved. The strategy is a clear signal of the United States' dedication to being a steadfast partner in the Indo-Pacific's future. #Congress #Pentagon #Whitehouse #IndoPacificStrategy