August 24, 2025, 10:00 pm

Educate, Connect and Empower

Today’s Distinguished Visitors

Japan Journalists and Pacific Forum

Mr. Hidetoshi Arioka, Writer
Mr. Tomoki Sato, Staff Writer
Mr. Takuro Fujimoto, Political Reporter
Mr. Kiyotaka Nagashima, News reporter and Commentator
Mr. Ryota Shimabukuro, Chief Reporter
Ms. Kai Maeda, International Affairs Reporter
Mr. Beau Miller, PAO
Mr. Manuel Jeffrey Ordaniel Sistoso, Director Maritime Security
Mr. Akira Igata, Adjunct Fellow
Ms. Ayano Nishimura, Interpreter

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Location: CCR

Host: Dean Cramer

Japan Journalists and Pacific Forum

Mr. Hidetoshi Arioka, Writer
Mr. Tomoki Sato, Staff Writer
Mr. Takuro Fujimoto, Political Reporter
Mr. Kiyotaka Nagashima, News reporter and Commentator
Mr. Ryota Shimabukuro, Chief Reporter
Ms. Kai Maeda, International Affairs Reporter
Mr. Beau Miller, PAO
Mr. Manuel Jeffrey Ordaniel Sistoso, Director Maritime Security
Mr. Akira Igata, Adjunct Fellow
Ms. Ayano Nishimura, Interpreter

Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: CCR
Host: Dean Cramer

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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

Mr. Krishna Bahadur Raut Receives the 2021 ‘Alumni of the Year’ award

DKI APCSS recognized Raut’s contributions as an alumnus who significantly improved the peace and security within his country of Nepal and in the Indo-Pacific Region. Raut’s Fellows Project resulted in seven new provincial emergency operation centers. He drafted eight of the fifteen laws required to support the expansion of the EOCs. He also played an instrumental role in passing significant policies that included the Disaster Management Act, Risk Reduction Policy, and the National Strategic Action Plan.

Alumni Spotlight

International Fellows from the U.S. Army War College Visit the Center

On April 1, 2022, DKI APCSS hosted 40 international officers from the U.S Army War College’s International Fellows Program. Ranging from lieutenant colonel to brigadier general, the Fellows were hand-selected from the Chief of Staff of the Army to participate in a 10-month, in-resident course at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.For the last seven months, the Fellows have studied the role of land power, as part of a unified, joint or combined force, in support of the U.S. national military strategy. Their visit to Hawaii provided an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the various Indo-Pacific organizations who are available to partner with their militaries and countries. In addition to DKI APCSS, the Fellows visited the Indo-Pacific Command, the U.S. Army Pacific Command, and the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management.

Alumni Spotlight

News

The Illusion of Going It Alone

In a new Security Nexus perspective titled The Illusion of Going It Alone, DKI APCSS Professor Shyam Tekwani examines India’s enduring pursuit of strategic autonomy and the growing tension between its ambitions and capabilities. He argues that while India seeks to balance partnerships with independence, autonomy without sufficient military, economic, and technological strength risks becoming a liability rather than [...]

Dialogue | Episode 51: North Korea’s Wartime Windfall — A Dialogue with Dr. Victor Cha

In Dialogue Episode 51, Dr. Victor Cha—one of the world’s foremost experts on Korean security and geopolitics—explains the stakes and the limited choices before Washington and its allies. As he observes, “It really shows that North Korea is not content to sit on its hands. They’re being very proactive about taking advantage of strategic situations where they see an opening.”

DKI APCSS Strengthens Ties with Thai Partners During July Visit

During a visit to Thailand in July, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) Director Suzanne Vares-Lum met with key Thai defense leaders, alumni and U.S. Embassy officials, reinforcing long-standing partnerships and advancing shared regional security goals.

Roundtable with Senior DKI APCSS Thai Alumni

While visiting Thailand in July, DKI APCSS Director Suzanne Vares-Lum conducted a senior alumni roundtable. Nine alumni attended the meeting which focused on DKI APCSS programs such as Fellows projects and a new mentoring program. Three alumni have offered to be mentors for future Fellows, and the Thai Alumni Association offered to take an active role in future Alumni mentor recruiting and matching with Fellows. Participants also shared their reflections on the current security situation in Thailand.

Transnational Security Course 25-1: Shared Ideas in Adapting to Unprecedented Change

In mid-July, the Transnational Security Course (TSC) 25-1 welcomed 37 senior executives from 27 locations around the world to the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) campus in Waikiki. The weeklong intensive program, specifically tailored for senior security practitioners from the Indo-Pacific region, facilitated a deep dive into a broad spectrum of transnational security challenges.

The stories posted here are only excerpts. Please go to our website to read the full articles.
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