Trilateralism is on the rise across the Asia–Pacific as states seek safety in numbers, diversifying their relations in response to an increasingly uncertain regional security environment. On 8 June 2015, senior foreign affairs officials from Australia, Japan and India, including secretary-level representatives, gathered in New Delhi to explore how the three nations might work together...

In this Lowy Institute Report Nonresident Fellows Linda Jakobson and Rory Medcalf identify both the real differences in interests between China and other powers in the Indo-Pacific, but also the sharp divergences in perceptions regarding China’s maritime strategic objectives. Key findings Regional security is being adversely affected by a worsening perception gap between China and...

The focus of the report is on maximising opportunities for Australia to strengthen relationships with the countries of Asia. It finds that leveraging language, research and cultural capabilities will provide the basis for deep, long-term engagement that will return social, economic and political benefits to Australia and its partners in the region.

This paper assesses the way the government handled commitments to three conflicts in Southeast Asia; the Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation and the Vietnam War. It then draws some lessons that remain applicable to our current challenges. Overview Australia is currently engaged in a major reassessment of its strategic policy. Those in and around the policymaking...

In 2015 the relationship between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) seems at near rock-bottom. This presents fundamental challenges to the US rebalance strategy and threatens to undermine the security and stability US allies rely on. This new paper by two of America’s leading Asia scholars is drawn from their newly released book on...