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
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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International relations | Australia
The Indo-Pacific idea will be a useful guide to the future if its proponents avoid the trappings of civilizational geopolitical delusions, writes Christian Wirth.
6 minute read
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In our new podcast series looking at Australia and the region's security challenges, we hear from Rory Medcalf, one of the earliest intellectual proponents for the ‘Indo-Pacific’ concept now sweeping foreign policy circles around the world.
30 minute listen
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China may not like it, but this weekend’s Shangri-La Dialogue will reinforce the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific concept, Rory Medcalf writes.
8 minute read
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Government and governance | Australia
In this special double-feature podcast, we hear from Rory Medcalf, David Brewster and Denise Fisher about how the Indo-Pacific concept could shape the future of Asia.
88 minute listen
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International relations | Australia
Is the ‘Indo-Pacific’ a way to create a better ‘mental map’ of our region or an unhelpful abstraction? Martin Blaszczyk takes a look.
3 minute read
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