What’s in a name? The Indo-Pacific is many things. It is a 21st-century map of the globally-central strategic system centred on maritime Asia. It is, quite literally, Australia’s place in the world. It may be a basis for a strategy of multipolarity and balancing to moderate the power of a rising China. And it is a region in which China’s interests and presence are growing.
In the interests of robust, scholarly and policy-relevant debate, Policy Forum has launched this section on the contested concept of the Indo-Pacific. We hope you find its contents of value, and invite contributions to the conversation.
Professor Rory Medcalf
Guest Editor, Indo-Pacific In Focus section
Podcast: Diving into the Indo-Pacific debate
Rapid Round-Up: Australia’s Foreign Policy White Paper
Policy File: what should we make of the Indo-Pacific?
Australia needs Indo-Pacific clarity | Denise Fisher
Blurred boundaries and restrictive regions | Anthony Bergin
International relations | Australia
If countries of the Indo-Pacific are to be prepared for the maritime threats of the future, they must know what’s happening at sea. David Brewster writes that Australia can share its expertise with the region at a relatively low cost.
6 minute read
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Government and governance | Asia
More and more countries are buying in to the Indo-Pacific construct. They must overcome the problems of coordination and burden-sharing if the concept is to have strategic teeth, Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan writes.
5 minutes
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International relations | Australia
It’s too soon to say whether the Indo-Pacific will remain a lasting picture of 21st-century geopolitics, Keshav Kelkar writes.
4 minute read
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From Eurasia to the Indo-Pacific, Indian policymakers have their work cut out for them in balancing between bilateral and multilateral strategies, Monish Tourangbam writes.
7 minute read
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International relations | Australia
That the Indo-Pacific has so many different interpretations is a strength of the concept, not a flaw, Anthony Bergin writes.
7 minute read
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For the democracies of the Indo-Pacific to compete with China, they must accept that the region will be multipolar, Akhil Deo writes.
7 minute read
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International relations | Asia
Russia is grappling with its place in a rapidly evolving region, Olga Krasnyak writes.
5 minute read
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International relations | Asia
Russia’s economy may be putting the brakes on Moscow’s Asia-Pacific ambitions, but the Kremlin is still keen to seek out opportunities to grow its power and influence, Jacky Westermann writes.
6 minute read
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International relations | Australia
An Indo-Pacific strategy for Australia is essential, but difficult. The country must think big, but start small, Andrew Phillips writes.
5 minute read
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Government and governance | Australia
If the Indo-Pacific is to guide Australian strategy, policymakers must be clearer on what it means for Australian interests, partners, and regional organisations, Denise Fisher writes.
7 minute read
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