Pacific Forum

?? At Pacific Forum, our team of knowledgeable specialists in defense, economics, cybersecurity, and political affairs in the Indo-Pacific region are well-equipped to provide expert analysis that enriches media discourse and coverage. ?? If you're a journalist seeking an insightful source or commentary on critical regional issues, please reach out. ?? Contact our media team at [email protected] to get started. #Journalists #Media #News #IndoPacific #AsiaPacific #ForeignAffairs #InternationalRelations #ForeignPolicy #Geopolitics #Security #Defense

?? Beyond #Semiconductors: Understanding #Taiwan’s True Strategic Importance Taiwan’s significance isn’t just about semiconductor dominance—it plays a crucial role in the #regionalbalance of #power and #globalsecurity. In #PacNet 16, Julian McBride—Former US Marine (United States Marine Corps), forensic anthropologist, defense analyst, and independent journalist—examines Taiwan’s broader #geopolitical role, its existential challenges, and why its future is pivotal for #IndoPacific stability. ?? Read more: https://lnkd.in/gk8AJcfa #ForeignPolicy #PacificForum

Prime Minister Modi was one of the first foreign leaders President Trump met with since taking office, and both countries are enthusiastic about continuing their partnership on strategic technologies. I'm grateful to have gotten to write about the US-India partnership in space for the Pacific Forum!

???? Is ASEAN Ready to Tackle the Global Food Security Crisis? ???? Thrilled to have joined forces with?phenomenal thought leaders?at today’s?#CounterpointSEA?webinar to dissect one of the most pressing challenges of our time:?How can #ASEAN safeguard #FoodSecurity amid relentless global supply chain disruptions? Great to discuss this important topic with other panellists: ???Elyssa Kaur Ludher?(ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS) - Yusof Ishak Institute & MORROW Intelligence) ???Jose Ma. Luis Montesclaros, PhD, MPP?(RSIS | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies) ???Mae Chow?(Centre on Asia and Globalisation) …for sharing razor-sharp insights on the importance of building?resilient food systems, leveraging regional collaboration, boosting local production, using artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and rethinking local, national, and regional policies. Special thankyou to?Barbora Valockova?(Centre on Asia and Globalisation) for kindly inviting me and for moderating the discussion! CC: Oxford Global Society, Indo Pacific Circle, Indo-Pacific Studies Center, Verve Research, YCAPS, Pacific Forum, Asia-Pacific Leadership Network, Centre on Asia and Globalisation, Eamonn Fitzpatrick, Jufang Wang, Natalie Sambhi, Rishi Gupta, PhD, Eloise Dolan, Asia Society India Centre, Andrew Henderson

Today I had the pleasure to present a talk on ''Building safeguards capacity in the Asia-pacific region' as part of the Nuclear Energy Experts Group meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference is convened and sponsored by the Pacific Forum and the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP).

?? Honored to contribute to the Raisina Files 2025! I am thrilled to share that I have contributed a chapter titled “Navigating the Pacific’s Dual Challenge: Great-Power Competition and Domestic Priorities” to the 10th edition of the #RaisinaFiles, the flagship journal of the Raisina Dialogue. This year’s anthology, “The Reckoning: Regression or Renaissance?”, tackles urgent global crossroads—from climate crises and conflict to inequality and demographic shifts. My essay zooms in on the Pacific region, where nations grapple with the delicate balance of great-power rivalry and non-traditional security threats as well as pressing domestic needs like economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and security cooperation. ?? Why the Pacific Matters Now As strategic competition intensifies, Pacific Island states face unprecedented challenges: climate-driven displacement, economic dependencies, and the weight of external powerplays. But there is also immense opportunity—for innovation, partnerships, and redefining regional security beyond traditional frameworks. My analysis argues that lasting peacebuilding in the Pacific hinges on three pillars: 1?? Inclusive economic development 2?? Climate-first security strategies 3?? Collaborative diplomacy that amplifies local agency. ?? A huge thanks to editors Samir Saran and Vinia Mukherjee for inviting me qgain to contribute and for their helpful feedback. The Raisina Files continues to be a critical platform for bridging policy and pragmatism in turbulent times. ?? https://or-f.org/33248 CC: Indo Pacific Circle, Indo-Pacific Studies Center, Pacific Forum, YCAPS, Oxford Global Society, Verve Research, United States Studies Centre, Asha Clementi, Jufang Wang, Natalie Sambhi, Michael Hilliard, Akshay Mathur, Rishi Gupta, PhD, #Geopolitics #PacificAffairs #ClimateSecurity #blueeconomy #SustainableDevelopment #RaisinaDialogue2025

James Leslie and I are currently in Bangkok Thailand, taking part in a Nuclear Energy Experts Group meeting. The meeting is convened and sponsored by the Pacific Forum and the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP). It is an honour to be able to take part in these discussions.

???"Water Security in the Greater Bay Area: A Crisis We Can’t Ignore"??? Thrilled to share that my research on China’s water challenges, co-authored with Guangtao Fu, was recently cited in?Macau Business’s Special Report on the pressing water scarcity issues facing the Greater Bay Area (GBA). ???The Challenge: The GBA—home to 86 million people—is one of China’s most water-stressed regions. Despite the Pearl River Delta’s vast resources, saltwater intrusion, climate change, and rapid urbanisation threaten freshwater supplies. In 2005, Macau’s water salinity hit?600 mg/L?(vs. the 250 mg/L safety threshold) during a historic drought. ????China’s Response: Emergency infrastructure like the?Dadengxia Water Conservancy Project?now delivers 150 million cubic metres of water to the GBA in?3 days?(vs. 10 days pre-2023). Over?3.42 billion cubic metres?of emergency water transfers since 2020 have safeguarded Macau and Zhuhai’s supply. ???But Structural Risks Remain: Per capita water availability in the GBA is?below 500 cubic metres—a critical scarcity threshold. Rising sea levels and over-exploitation are causing?permanent land salinisation, ecosystem damage, and risks to coastal cities. ???Why It Matters: As highlighted in?Macau Business:?"Between 2007 and 2016 alone, water-related economic losses in China exceeded 250 billion renminbi (USD 36 billion), according to estimates by researchers Genevieve Donnellon-May and Guangtao Fu in?The Diplomat." This staggering figure underscores how water security isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a cornerstone of economic resilience and sustainable development. With climate change intensifying, the stakes have never been higher. ?? Read the full?Macau Business report: CC: Oxford Global Society, Indo-Pacific Studies Center, United States Studies Centre Women in the Alliance, Indo Pacific Circle, Verve Research, Pacific Forum, YCAPS, Asia-Pacific Leadership Network, Eamonn Fitzpatrick, Natalie Sambhi

Had the pleasure of hearing Michael A. Brown at the #honoluludefenseforum Pacific Forum where he was a panel member discussing Industry and Investment to Compete in the Indo-Pacific. His insights on how strategic investments in industry can preserve security notably come up in the attached foreign affairs article that he co-authored below. Parts of the article pull on the exact threads of key themes reigning true for national security today. - a need to harden US digital critical infrastructure and prioritize critical technology that we can scale - a need to look at commerical DIB solutions - a need to continue to collaborate in building a robust industrial base to enhance defense procurement with allies and partners - learning from the current environment and not repeating operational mishaps

My latest article examining "India’s water diplomacy: Balancing regional cooperation and strategic interests," has been published by The Indian Express in their #UPSC Essentials section. This article examines India’s strategy for water diplomacy, which strikes a balance between regional cooperation and national interests. New Delhi’s commitment to planned water-sharing mechanisms is evident in treaties such as the #Indus Waters Treaty, the #Ganga Treaty, and the #Mahakali Treaty. However, China’s approach aligns with the concept of hydro-hegemony, where a dominant state in a shared river basin leverages its riparian position, economic and military power, and technological capabilities to assert control over water resources. In this context, how can #NewDelhi bolster its diplomatic efforts to negotiate fair water-sharing arrangements with #Beijing and strengthen existing frameworks with its neighbours to maintain a stable regional order? REVA CEGIS REVA University Dept of Political Science, University of Hyderabad University of Hyderabad Council for Social Development Hyderabad Pacific Forum Sujit Kumar Mishra Kham Khan Suan Hausing Professor Vijay Sakhuja Dr Nanda Kishor M S. MPhil, PhD Dr.Pullanna Vidyapogu MOHAMMAD SAJID Dr. Ramshin Rahiman Raj K Kattula Dr. Areeba Moazzam Dr. Devender Solanki Zaheer Ahmed Akhil Kumar https://lnkd.in/dKr9ZFVS