Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed his strategic vision for the Defense Department, as it relates to the Indo-Pacific region, while delivering remarks to alumni of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu yesterday. Founded in 1995, the DKI APCSS is a DOD institute that offers a forum for military and civilian leaders from the region to come together and discuss local and global security matters.
Dr. "Lumpy" Lumbaca of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies explores themes of technological overreach and human resilience in a piece published March 19, 2025, in Small Wars Journal. In The Sun Is Setting: A Story of Resistance in the Age of Algorithmic Irregular Warfare, Lumbaca presents a fictional narrative set in 2084exploring the rise of the Sky Global Algorithmic Network (Sky-GAN).
India finds itself at the heart of a rapidly shifting security landscape, balancing the challenges of border tensions, maritime competition, and evolving defense partnerships. In this episode of Dialogue, Dr. Srini Sitaraman, a professor at DKI APCSS and an expert on Indo-Pacific security, offered a deep dive into India’s strategic calculations—from its uneasy standoff with China to its expanding defense cooperation with the United States and the Quad.
The Security Nexus paper examines how civilian and support personnel within the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) can contribute to Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth’s renewed emphasis on military lethality. The paper highlights the critical role of non-warfighters—including resource managers, logisticians, academics, economists, and cybersecurity professionals—in optimizing processes, streamlining decision-making, and supporting operational forces. It emphasizes that lethality is not solely about combat but also about strategy, logistics, innovation, and partnerships.
A Security Nexus paper, “India’s Strategic Moment: Navigating Myanmar’s Crisis Amidst China’s Backing of the Junta,” by Miemie Winn Byrd, professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, examines how China’s support for Myanmar’s military regime has fueled unrest while creating a strategic opportunity for India. The paper highlights rising anti-China sentiment in Myanmar and argues that India can redefine its role by engaging with pro-democracy forces and ethnic resistance groups. It outlines a roadmap for India to enhance its regional leadership through humanitarian aid, economic partnerships, and diplomatic advocacy.
A new Security Nexus paper, “The Strategic Role of the Defense Industrial Base in Advancing U.S. Lethality, Soft Power, and Indo-Pacific Security,” by Deon Canyon, Associate Dean of Academics and Professor, and Carleton Cramer, Captain (Ret.), U.S. Navy, Dean of Academics for the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, examines how the United States Defense Industrial Base (DIB) serves as both a military and strategic asset, enhancing deterrence, innovation, and regional partnerships. It highlights the DIB’s role in strengthening alliances, supporting economic resilience, and integrating emerging defense technologies in response to increasing geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific.
Malaysia is at the heart of Indo-Pacific maritime security, balancing sovereignty, economic interests, and regional cooperation. Nor Aini binti Mohd Nordin, a rising young leader in maritime strategy, joins Dialogue to discuss Malaysia’s Maritime Shield—how the nation protects its waters amid evolving threats and challenges.
Myanmar marks four years since the military junta seized power, plunging the nation into ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. Dr. Miemie Winn Byrd explores the resilience of the Myanmar people, the impact of China’s involvement, and the lessons learned from other conflicts like Syria in shaping the nation’s future.
Dr. Lami Kim’s latest article, “The Risks of South Korea’s Nuclear Armament Under a Troubled Democracy,” published by the United States Institute of Peace, explores the rising nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula. She highlights North Korea’s missile advancements and potential military ties with Russia, which have fueled debates over South Korea developing its own nuclear weapons. However, Kim warns that nuclearization could further destabilize the region rather than enhance security. She also raises concerns about South Korea’s democratic stability, arguing that restoring the rule of law is essential before making any decisions on nuclear armament.
As global economic conflict intensifies, Canada stands at the forefront of a high-stakes battle for resources, technology, and influence. In Frontlines of Economic Warfare, Raquel Garbers explores Canada’s vulnerabilities, strategic opportunities, and the urgent policy shifts needed to navigate this complex landscape.
Latest News TestAPCSS Editor2024-08-22T13:55:50-10:00
