Dr. Alexander Vuving’s New Publications on Vietnam’s Past and Present
Dr. Alexander Vuving has two new publications exploring Vietnam’s history and foreign policy. The first is a peer-reviewed article published in The Pacific Review (Vol. 38, Issue 1, 2025), titled “Bamboo in a Storm: The Russia-Ukraine War and Vietnam’s Foreign Policy (2022–2024). The second is a chapter in The Cambridge History of the Vietnam War (Volume 3: Legacies). Titled “Vietnam’s Search for Its Place in the World,” the chapter traces Vietnam’s trajectory since the war with the United States.
New Book Release: The Indo-Pacific Mosaic: Comprehensive Security Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) proudly announces the release of its latest publication, The Indo-Pacific Mosaic: Comprehensive Security Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. This landmark book celebrates the Center’s 30th anniversary and reflects three decades of fostering peace, collaboration, and understanding across the Indo-Pacific region. Bringing together insights from 27 leading experts, this comprehensive volume examines the complexities of security in the Indo-Pacific. From geopolitical rivalries to societal resilience, The Indo-Pacific Mosaic offers actionable strategies for promoting peace, stability, and resilience across the region. Acting Director Russell Bailey emphasized that this book honors Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s legacy and underscores the Center’s unwavering commitment to advancing security cooperation throughout the region.
Vares-Lum Assumes Responsibility at DKI APCSS
HONOLULU –Retired US Army Maj. Gen. Suzanne (Suzy) Puanani Vares-Lum joined the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) this week as the Center’s new Director. The transition occurred during an Assumption of Command ceremony held on Monday, which was attended by close family and friends and DKI APCSS staff. During the ceremony, Vares-Lum, an alumna of the Center, remarked that it felt like coming home. Not only is she an alumna of two DKI APCSS courses, but she also started her Army career in this building when it used to be a reserve center. Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, she served 34 years in all three components of the U.S. Army—the Army National Guard, Regular Army, and Army Reserve—retiring as a Major General in 2021. Vares-Lum is an alumna of the Cen
Dialogue #35 Indo-Pacific Humanity and Geopolitics
In Dialogue 35: Indo-Pacific Humanity and Geopolitics, humanitarian adviser Jonathan Robinson explores the intersection of humanitarian aid and geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific. From navigating aid in politically sensitive areas to the impact of great power competition and China’s hospital ship ecosystem, this episode delves into critical challenges shaping regional humanitarian efforts.
New article on Non-State Actors and Irregular Warfare by Sam Mullins
In "The Role of Non-State Actors as Proxies in Irregular Warfare and Malign State Influence," Dr. Sam Mullins examines how states like China and Russia leverage non-state actors (NSAs) to conduct irregular warfare, employing tactics that blur the lines between peace and conflict. These NSAs engage in activities ranging from persistent low-level operations aimed at undermining adversaries' institutions to more aggressive actions that challenge the sovereignty of other nations.
Dialogue #36 Korea’s Martial Law Fallout
South Korea’s Democratic Turmoil: A Test of Resilience South Korea, often hailed as a beacon of democracy in Asia, finds itself navigating a profound political crisis that has raised questions about its democratic stability and governance. The impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol following his December 3rd declaration of martial law has sent shockwaves across the nation and the region. While the swift response from South Korea’s institutions and the public demonstrates the strength of its democratic framework, the crisis also highlights vulnerabilities that demand attention. This critical issue was the focus of Dialogue Episode 36, where I had the privilege of hosting DKI APCSS Professor Dr. Lami Kim to explore the broader implications of this historic crisis. Reflecting on the situation, Dr. Kim observed, “President Yoon’s declaration of martial law was not a spontaneous move; it was premeditated. His aides testified that he had been discussing the option for months, believing it was the only way to tackle his mounting political and personal challenges.” A Premeditated Power Grab President Yoon’s martial law declaration, framed as a response to “pro-North Korean threats” and political unrest, was far from spontaneous. Yoon’s actions, including attempts to dissolve the National Assembly and paralyze democratic institutions, drew comparisons to South Korea’s authoritarian past, particularly Chun Doo-hwan’s 1979 coup. However, the failure of Yoon’s self-coup underscores the evolution of South Korean democracy. Dr. Kim noted, “South Korean citizens have become incredibly mature in their democratic practices. Their peaceful and well-organized protests show the strength of civil society, which, alongside a free press and nonviolent dissent, helped ensure the failure of Yoon’s self-coup.”
TSC bring senior leaders together to explore opportunities for cooperation
The Transnational Security Cooperation course is an in-depth executive education program designed to prepare senior security practitioners and military leaders to engage in cooperative security efforts that advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. Recently 38 senior leaders from 25 countries and three regional organizations participated in the TSC24-2 course hosted by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies from December 8-13, 2024, in Honolulu. “Aided by a challenging curriculum, TSC 24-2 participants seized the opportunity to frankly discuss some of the most pressing strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific,” said course manager Dr. Al Oehlers. “Vitally, by exchanging invaluable insights and creatively crafting collaborative approaches to shared priorities, bonds of understanding and friendship were fostered that will last for years to come.”
Lauren Dickey and DKI APCSS’ Col. Matthew Kent Call for a Reassessment of U.S. Policy on Taiwan in War on the Rocks
“This is Not the Status Quo You’re Looking For” by Lauren Dickey and DKI APCSS’ Col. Matthew Kent was recently published by War on the Rocks. In the article, the authors argue that the United States’ longstanding policy of maintaining the “status quo” on Taiwan is increasingly misaligned with contemporary geostrategic realities. Rooted in Cold War-era agreements, the policy aims to deter hostilities by avoiding an official stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty. However, this approach has not accounted for China’s use of gray zone tactics—subtle, coercive measures that fall short of provoking military conflict but aim to achieve political objectives. According to the authors, the “status quo,” once effective in a very different geopolitical landscape, now risks enabling China’s aggressive posturing and undermining Taiwan’s security.
Coups and Civil-Military relations in South Korea
Dr. Lami Kim has a new article in Foreign Policy on the recent self-coup and martial law attempt by President Yoon in South Korea. The article, “Yoon’s Coup Attempt Shows Sad State of Civil-Military Relations,” provides an in-depth look the Republic of Korea’s history of past military dictatorship. According to Kim, “As South Koreans and supporters of democracy around the world anxiously watch how this situation unfolds, it is crucial to learn from what happened. This incident serves as a stark reminder that civil-military relations are never static and can regress without vigilant management. If there is a silver lining to this situation, it is that South Koreans now have an opportunity to confront the lingering legacies of military dictatorship and take definitive steps toward establishing healthy, sustainable civil-military relations.”
Fijian Charm and National Security Policy Under the Palms
SUVA, Fiji – Amid the occasional roar of heavy November rains and the frequent calls of local myna birds, 64 participants from 18 Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) member countries gathered in Suva for a three-day workshop on national security policy development. Hosted by the PIF at its historic conference center in the hills overlooking the city and Walu Bay, the event was conducted in collaboration with the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. The workshop focused on how the Pacific’s security landscape has evolved, enabling participants to exchange perspectives on issues ranging from climate-induced migration to transnational crime. There was earnest and honest interaction from all corners of an audience that are usually quite reserved, professionally.
Dialogue #34 Sri Lanka’s Tide Turns
Sri Lanka’s November 14 election marks a historic turning point, with the potential to reshape its future and inspire regional renewal. This episode explores its challenges, opportunities, and regional implications.
Dialogue #33 | Sustainability and Responsibility in Space
The space race isn’t over; it has simply evolved into a new, more complex phase. While Cold War rivalries may have faded, a different kind of competition is now underway – a race to ensure the long-term sustainability of this critical domain. With the number of satellites and space actors growing exponentially, the need for responsible behavior and international cooperation has never been more pressing. This was the central theme of Dialogue 33, where experts Dr. Namrata Goswami and Sam Wilson joined DKI APCSS professors Dr. James Minnich and Dr. Al Oehlers to explore the critical challenges and opportunities in securing the future of space.
Dialogue #32 | Seoul Between Moscow and Pyongyang
What are Seoul’s strategic options in response to North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia amid the Ukraine conflict? Dr. Lami Kim explores the risks of technology transfers, phased response strategies, and the delicate balance between deterrence and escalation in this evolving security challenge.
Currents Magazine: Celebrating Partnerships and Resilience
The summer edition of Currents, themed “Building Partnerships for Resilience,” features candid photos of Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies participants on the cover, engaging in courses, workshops, and visits that capture the theme.This issue includes a farewell message from outgoing Director Peter A. Gumataotao, reflecting on the Center’s nearly 30 years of fostering security cooperation. During his tenure, DKI APCSS adapted to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, launched the Security Nexus online journal, and strengthened ties among the region’s security professionals.
How Seoul Should Respond to North Korea’s Soldiers in Russia
A new OpEd by Dr. Lami Kim published by the United States Institute for Peace. As North Korean soldiers deploy to Russia, South Korea faces complex security challenges that could shift the regional military balance. North Korea's involvement in the Ukraine war marks the first large-scale combat engagement of its military since the Korean War, exposing its troops to modern warfare and potentially securing lucrative cash flows from Russia, despite sanctions. Additionally, the specter of Moscow supplying Pyongyang with advanced military technologies threatens to destabilize the Korean Peninsula.
IPOC 24-2, Part of the Ohana
U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Holly Beard, stationed at Fort Shafter, typically has a 10-minute commute to the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) campus in Waikiki. However, it took nearly a year for her to get in its doors to attend the highly sought-after Indo-Pacific Orientation Course (IPOC). “Not only did I hear there were more than 100 people on the waitlist for this course, I personally applied almost a year ago, and it’s taken me that long to get in,” said Beard, sitting in the shade of the 200-year-old monkeypod tree that anchors the gardens surrounding Maluhia Hall at DKI APCSS. A civil affairs officer, Beard found IPOC 24-2 a valuable learning experience. “It’s a very fast-paced, but also relevant, orientation to the Indo-Pacific theater—not only from a Department of Defense lens, but with a strong presence from the State Department and other allies and partners.” As a reservist, Beard said she rarely has the time to dive into such topics. “Something I really hope to take back to my team is a better understanding of the complexities associated with this theater,” she added. Held in October 2024, IPOC 24-2 was an executive education course designed for mid-career to senior-level security practitioners to enhance their ability to engage in cooperative security efforts that advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.
