April 30, 2026

9:16 am

Educate, Connect and Empower

Today’s Distinguished Visitors

CSC 25-3

In Their Own Words: Fellows describe their DKI APCSS experience.

We are a Department of Defense institution that provides a forum where current and future military and civilian leaders from the Indo-Asia-Pacific gather to address regional and global security issues and enhance security cooperation through programs of executive education, professional exchange, and building relationships of trust and confidence.

About Us

Vision

A free and prosperous Indo-Pacific promoting collaborative security.

Mission

DKI APCSS builds resilient capacity, shared understanding, and networked relationships among civilian and military practitioners and institutions to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Approach

In support of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs (IPSA), and the Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), and as a Mission Partner of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), DKI APCSS will cultivate and maintain security networks that reinforce the rules-based international order.

Value Proposition

DKI APCSS is recognized and respected for delivering practical outcomes that enhance security sector capacity and cooperation.

Alumni
Association

Courses Held
Countries Attending
Graduates
Alumni
Virtual Engagements
Virtual Participants
Years in Service

216
152
16,750*
15,840
133
7,759
30

FACTS

Alumni Senior
positions

President/PM
Vice President/Deputy PM
Minister/Deputy Minister
Ambassador/High Commissioner
Chief or Deputy Chief of Defense
Chief or Deputy Chief of Service
Cabinet or Parliament appointment
General/Flag Officer

7
11
122
276
56
114
210
1594

2,305

Participants

11,500

Workshops

313

Courses

On Sept. 30, 1994 President Clinton signed H.R. 4650 to establish the “Nimitz Center.” During the year, name is changed to the “Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.” The Center officially opened on Sept. 4, 1995, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Honorable William J. Perry, then-Secretary of Defense and General John M. Shalikashvili, then Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

August 2020

Defense Secretary Esper the Keynote speaker at DKI APCSS’ 3rd Speaker Series and 25th Anniversary Commemoration

Our History

The Hawaii Congressional Delegation announces the redesignation of APCSS as the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS). The change is included in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. Learn more

September 1994-1995

February 2015

The Lamp of Knowledge represents the academic focus of the Center and signifies the desire to foster understanding, cooperation and the study of regional security issues.

The laurel branches form a Wreath of Peace that emphasize the Center’s non-warfighting approach to addressing regional security issues.

The visible portion of the world globe depicts the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s area of responsibility.

Seal

The continuous ribbon symbolizes the strong interrelationship among the six geographic regions of the Asia-Pacific theater.

The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies seal was conceptualized
by Dr. Jimmie R. Lackey, who was then an Army colonel, and is a former DKI APCSS executive director. The Center was renamed on February 2015 to Honor the late Senator, Daniel K. Inouye.

Our Team

Our team is a dedicated group of professionals committed to enhancing regional security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Comprised of military, diplomatic, and academic experts, the team works collaboratively to address contemporary security challenges. Through education, dialogue, and research, the DKI APCSS team fosters mutual understanding and strengthens partnerships among nations.

News

Dialogue | Episode 55: Building Advantage in the Indo-Pacific – From Dialogue to Outcomes

The Indo-Pacific is not short on dialogue. Across the region, coordination is constant—through conferences, working groups, bilateral engagements, and multilateral forums. Yet a harder question persists: Why do aligned partners still struggle to act in concert when it matters most?

MIPOC 26-2 Blooms in the Capital Region

This spring, as the cherry trees that proliferate throughout the National Capital Region were painting the landscape with gorgeous shades of pink, the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) convened the Mobile Indo-Pacific Orientation Course (MIPOC) 26-2 from April 6-10. The event gathered 127 participants, including 98 U.S. government officials and 29 international representatives, to address evolving regional security dynamics.

DKI APCSS Hosts Washington Alumni Event, Honors SEAC David Isom as DKI APCSS (US) Alumnus of the Year

The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies connected with its Washington, D.C.-based alumni network during an April 9 event, bringing together more than 60 U.S. and international graduates. The gathering included more than 40 U.S. and 20 international alumni. Among the distinguished guests were U.S. Ambassador Marie Damour; Timor-Leste Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Gutteres; Nepal Defense Attaché Brig. Purna Dhakal; Nepal Chargé d'Affaires Sharad Aran; and Henry Rector of the U.S. State Department.

2025 DKI APCSS Alumni Awards: Recognizing Excellence in Indo-Pacific Security

The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies announces the 2025 Alumni Awards, honoring leaders in cybersecurity, NCO professionalization, and civil-military cooperation who advance Indo-Pacific security and collaboration.

A Review of “The First Island Chained: Taiwan Resistance and Resilience” Wargame and Workshop

Doctors Lumpy Lumbaca and Sam Mullins from the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) recently participated in “The First Island Chained: Taiwan Resistance and Resilience” wargame and workshop. Held at Northeastern University in Arlington from March 31 to April 2, 2026, the event represented a significant departure from traditional military simulations

The stories posted here are only excerpts. Please go to our website to read the full articles.
apcss.org/latest-news

Regional Centers

Who are we

Organization

Associate Dean, CSS
Dr. Deon K. Canyon

OSD | USD (Policy) | Indo-Pacific Security Affairs (IPSA)

DKI APCSS Director Suzanne Vares-Lum, Major General (Ret.), U.S. Army

INDOPACOM
(Mission Partner)

Defense Security Cooperation Agency
(Executive Agent)

Director
Maj. Gen (Ret.), U.S. Army
Suzanne Vares-Lum

Deputy Director
Col. (Ret.), U.S. Army
Russell Bailey

Senior Professor for Enabling Partnerships
Dr. Lori Forman

Associate Dean, CSS
Col. Matthew R. Kent

Dean, Admissions
& Business Ops
Capt. (Ret.) U.S. Navy
Wade Turvold

Dean of College of
Security Studies (CSS)
Capt. (Ret.) U.S. Navy
Carleton Cramer

Deputy Dean, Admissions
& Business Ops
Col. Jeffrey Digsby

What we do

DKI APCSS builds resilient capacity,
shared understanding, and networked relationships among civilian and military practitioners and institutions to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Who we work with...

Other U.S. Agencies

Department of Defense

Office of the Secretary
of Defense (Policy)
Joint Staff
Service HQs
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency
Regional Centers
US Indo-Pacific Command
- Component Commands
- Other Subordinate Commands

National Security Council
Dept. of Homeland Security
US Coast Guard
Dept. of State
-Embassies
-U.S. Agency for
International Development

Academic Institutions

Universities
National Defense/
Diplomatic Academies
Research Centers
Think Tanks

Countries, Economies
& National
Institutions

Northeast Asia
Southeast Asia
South Asia
Oceania
The Americas
And Beyond…

Regional
Institutions
& International
Organizations

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
United Nations, International Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations

Cooperation toward
a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

Allies, Partners,
Regional Architectures

People's Republic
of China

Domains of
Consequence

The rules-based order in
the Indo-Pacific, and globally,
is strengthened

Countries are resilient to
traditional and nontraditional
security challenges

Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific
is increased

Desired Effects;
designed to be
routinely measured
and assessed

Maluhia 2024
ADMM+
ASEAN Chair Preparation
Additional OSD IPSA Directed Activities

Workshops/Partnerships/Alumni

Maritime Security, Cybersecurity, Environmental
Security, Counterterrorism, Information Security,
Strategic Studies, Economics, & Crisis Management
Concentrations Regional & Functional Cohorts
Regional senior leader networks

Courses: (CSC, TSC, IPOC)

Connecting the dots...

Long Term
Strategic Objectives

DKI APCSS
FY24-25 Priorities

Priority Specific Effects

Forecasted Activities