Asia-Pacific Research Forum

The Asia-Pacific Research Forum is an informal community of interest supported by the RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy and Defense and Political Sciences Department to give Asia-Pacific scholars at RAND a platform to share resources, information, and ideas, as well as to create a channel for external stakeholders and thought leaders interested in Asia-Pacific issues to access relevant RAND research, researchers, and events.

Recent Publications and Events

Report
A New Era of Major-Power Competition
While there is a general consensus that the United States is now in a new era of strategic competition with China and Russia, there is not yet a clear understanding of what that means or what forms it could take. How can the United States best position itself to succeed?
Michael J. Mazarr @MMazarr, Bryan Frederick, et al.
Report
Managing Escalation While Competing Effectively in the Indo-Pacific
In response to China's expanding military activity in the Indo-Pacific, the United States has increased its activity in the region over the past decade. How can America continue to safeguard its interests while limiting potential risks of escalation with China?
Bryan Frederick, Kristen Gunness, et al.
Commentary
Five Factors to Watch as the Chinese Communist Party Faces Protests
It may be too soon to compare protests against China's zero-COVID policy to the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement. However, looking back to 1989 can still provide valuable insights into what might happen next.
Amanda Kerrigan
Commentary
Export Controls Give ASML and the Netherlands an Opportunity to Lead by Example. Will They Take It?
Dutch tech company ASML makes the complex machines required to construct advanced microchips, and it sells many of these machines to China. Harmonization of export controls between the United States and the Netherlands could limit China's development of military technologies and its human rights abuses.
Martijn Rasser, Jason Matheny @JasonGMatheny
Blog
Taiwan, Putin's Holy War, Mining the Moon: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on why China likely won't attack Taiwan anytime soon, Vladimir Putin's “holy war” in Ukraine, why it's time to make rules for space-mining, and more.
Commentary
Is Seabed Mining an Opportunity to Break China's Stranglehold on Critical Minerals Supply Chains?
China dominates global supply chains for nearly all critical mineral resources, including the rare earths that power decarbonization technologies. Seabed mining may be a way to diversify critical minerals supply chains and break China's stranglehold on supplies of some of the world's most important natural resources.
Tom LaTourrette
Commentary
Xi Likely Won't Be Attacking Taiwan Anytime Soon
Rather than start a war, Xi Jinping is more likely to intensify China's use of coercive measures against Taiwan, including diplomatic, economic, and military pressure coupled with cyber and psychological operations. If coercion fails, Beijing might turn to force as a last resort, but this still seems unlikely given the many complicating factors.
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Commentary
Emerging Domestic Battery Supply Chain Should Be Wary of China's Information Ops
China has a huge stake in producing lithium-ion batteries, and is not above waging disinformation campaigns against U.S. firms involved in the battery supply chain. Extraction sector companies could work with cybersecurity experts and the U.S. intelligence community to educate their executives and local governments about any foreign disinformation risks.
Fabian Villalobos @doktor_wolfhaus
Multimedia
The Impact of the War in Ukraine on the Indo-Pacific Region
Policymakers and scholars discuss the impact of the war in Ukraine on the Indo-Pacific. Presenters examined the conflict from the perspective of Japan and the United States as well as the possible impact it may have on the international order.
Harry B. Harris, Jr., Taisuke Abiru, et al.
Report
Competing for the International System
The United States should view emerging strategic rivalries with China and Russia in systemic terms. That means maintaining predominant influence over the international system and also taking actions designed to shape system outcomes rather than to achieve case-specific wins.
Michael J. Mazarr @MMazarr, Tim McDonald