12 February 2025

The Indo-Pacific: What You Need to Know Now


As the United States navigates a pivotal leadership transition, the Indo-Pacific region stands at the forefront of global strategic interests. The region is home to an uncertain mix of political disquiet, military peril, and economic potential, with issues like North Korea's nuclear ambitions, China's assertive territorial claims, and the delicate balance of power involving Taiwan shaping the narrative. All this makes the Indo-Pacific a crucial arena for U.S. foreign policy and the alliances and partnerships that will influence global trade and security frameworks moving forward.

We asked a team of RAND researchers with deep expertise on the various countries that make up the Indo-Pacific to assess the issues, objectives, and outlook for the region at this critical moment.
  • Jeffrey Hornung highlights Japan's focus on maintaining U.S. commitments amid regional security concerns.
  • Miyeon Oh discusses the Korean Peninsula's security challenges, balancing U.S. alliances with economic ties to China.
  • Samuel Charap addresses Russia's shifting priorities post–Ukraine conflict, emphasizing its ties with China.
  • Raymond Kuo outlines Taiwan's goals to enhance U.S. relations and defense capabilities.
  • Jude Blanchette examines China's strategic maneuvers and its hopes for an enduring “honeymoon” in U.S.-China relations.
Through objective research and expert analyses, RAND contributes to better understanding of the Indo-Pacific's geopolitical landscape, offering invaluable guidance during this critical period of U.S. leadership transition.

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