Download This Chapter Mosaic Main Page Chapter Seventeen Peter M. Haymond Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much. — Helen Keller, early 1920s Abstract The arrival of U.S. COVID-19 vaccines in Laos in 2021 marked a pivotal shift in a relationship once marred by conflict. This chapter examines how sustained U.S. health cooperation over two decades, culminating in the pandemic response, has fostered trust and transformed the U.S.-Lao dynamic. By prioritizing Laos’ needs, providing unconditional aid, and collaborating on health initiatives, the United States has become a valued partner, exemplified by [...]

Download This Chapter Mosaic Main Page Chapter Sixteen Srini Sitaraman The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday’s logic. – Peter Drucker, Managing in Turbulent Times, 1980 Abstract The resurgence of industrial policy is reshaping the global economic landscape. Driven by geopolitical competition, technological disruption, and the need for national resilience, countries are adopting diverse strategies to secure their economic futures. This chapter examines the evolving industrial policies of China, the United States, and Europe, highlighting their distinct approaches and the implications for global trade, innovation, and [...]

Download This Chapter Mosaic Main Page Chapter Fifteen Andreea Mosila The health of the planet and the health of its people are inextricably linked. — Dr. Margaret Chan, former Director-General World Health Organization, 2015 Abstract Amidst escalating global crises, New Zealand’s exemplary management of the COVID-19 pandemic stands as an exemplar, offering a model for comprehensive security cooperation in the Pacific and beyond. The chapter examines New Zealand’s pandemic response, drawing parallels with the climate crisis to highlight key strategies such as early action, transparent communication, and community engagement. These elements provide valuable insights for addressing [...]

Download This Chapter Mosaic Main Page Chapter Fourteen J. Scott Hauger, Chen Xue, and Jiahan Cao  Every day, I am faced with the challenges of our troubled and complex world. But none of them loom so large as climate change. If we fail to meet the challenge, all our other challenges will just become greater and threaten to swallow us. — António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, Austrian World Summit, May 15, 2018 Abstract The complex interplay of rivalry and cooperation between the United States and China is starkly evident in environmental security. This chapter traces their evolving [...]

Download This Chapter Mosaic Main Page Chapter Thirteen Lami Kim The difference between a good strategy and a bad one is often the quality of its assumptions. — Richard Rumelt, Good Strategy Bad Strategy, 2011 Abstract In an era of escalating U.S.-China rivalry and the war in Ukraine, South Korea’s traditional strategy of “strategic ambiguity” is facing growing challenges. This chapter examines South Korea’s shift from strategic ambiguity to clarity in its Indo-Pacific Strategy, driven by these geopolitical tensions and China’s increasing assertiveness. It analyzes the factors that have eroded the benefits of ambiguity and explores [...]

Download This Chapter Mosaic Main Page Chapter Twelve Shyam Tekwani and Saumya Sampath We may be small, but that does not give you the license to bully us. — Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, upon his return from a triumphant visit to China, Velana Airport, January 2024. Abstract Caught between the strategic ambitions of India and China, South Asia’s less powerful states navigate a delicate balance to safeguard their sovereignty and advance their development goals. This chapter examines how these smaller nations could leverage multilateral platforms to diversify alliances, amplify their global voices, and [...]

Download This Chapter Mosaic Main Page Chapter Eleven Shyam Tekwani and Saumya Sampath India’s strategic location gives it the potential to play a pivotal role, but potential is not action — Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister and founder of Singapore Abstract In an era of shifting global power dynamics, India is asserting itself as a major player in the Indo-Pacific. This chapter examines India’s evolving foreign policy, characterized by “strategic autonomy,” and its multifaceted approach to regional engagement. It analyzes India’s key partnerships, security challenges, and efforts to bolster its global stature and regional [...]

Download This Chapter Mosaic Main Page Chapter Ten Rachelle Rodriguez Space is not static. It is not a flat surface across which we walk. It is, rather, a pincushion of a million stories. — Doreen Massey, Space, Place, and Gender, 1994 Abstract The Compacts of Free Association (COFA) are not merely legal agreements; they are instruments of spatial politics—the ways in which space is used to exert power and influence—that shape the geopolitical landscape of the Pacific. This chapter examines COFA between the United States and the Freely Associated States (FAS)— the Federated States of Micronesia, [...]

Download This Chapter Mosaic Main Page Chapter Nine Miemie Winn Byrd There are none so blind as those who will not see. — John Heywood, 1546 Abstract Overlooked by the international community, the crisis in Myanmar, sparked by the 2021 military coup, has significant regional and global consequences. This chapter examines Myanmar’s critical role in the Indo-Pacific and the broader geopolitical impact of the coup. It explores the devastating effects on Myanmar’s population, including the rise of organized crime, human trafficking, and widespread displacement, while also highlighting the emergence of a resilient pro-democracy resistance. The chapter [...]

Download This Chapter Mosaic Main Page Chapter Eight Denny Roy The great fish eat the small.— Ancient Chinese proverb Abstract China’s pursuit of dominance in the South China Sea has sent ripples of concern across the region, sparking fears of escalating tensions and potential conflict. This chapter examines the complexities of China’s expansionist ambitions in this vital region, analyzing its strategic objectives, tactics, and the far-reaching implications of potential Chinese dominance for the United States and its allies. By assessing the effectiveness of current U.S.-led strategies, the chapter proposes a multifaceted approach to deter Chinese aggression, including [...]