May 24, 2011
Dr. Sungmin Cho has a new paper published by the Pacific Forum entitled "The New US Diplomacy with China: ‘Keep Your Promises’ " In his article, Cho discusses the idea of creating political division within China and its potential [...]
Lt. Col. Craig Painter joined the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies as an Army Fellow in August 2025. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Illinois State University and a Master of Arts in Management from the American Military University. His military education includes the Command and General Staff Officer College, Combined Logistics Captain's Career Course, and the Military Intelligence Basic Officer Leaders Course.
A new Security Nexus Perspective by Dr. Andrea Malji, a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, examines the strategic role of small states in the Indo-Pacific and their growing influence in global geopolitics. Malji highlights how nations such as Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, Maldives, and Dominica, despite their small populations, occupy critical positions in the contest for global influence. Their decisions on diplomatic recognition, infrastructure partnerships, and alignment with major powers carry significant weight in shaping the regional balance of power. The analysis underscores a key argument: geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific is not limited to major capitals but is equally shaped by the choices of small states navigating external pressures and domestic challenges.
Andrea Malji, a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, examines the strategic role of critical minerals in the Indo-Pacific and their use as tools of geopolitical leverage. Malji highlights how rare earth elements and their derivatives are essential for advanced technologies, with the Indo-Pacific serving as the hub for processing and transport. China’s dominance in refining capacity and control over key maritime chokepoints has enabled it to use mineral policy as a form of statecraft, influencing global supply chains and state behavior.
Maritime power in the Indo-Pacific hinges on shipyards as much as strategy. The episode with the Korea Institute for Maritime Strategy (KIMS) explores China’s naval expansion, South Korea’s shipbuilding leadership, and opportunities for U.S. cooperation with allies.
The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) sent a team of leadership, faculty and staff to actively participate throughout the 12th edition of the Galle Dialogue International Maritime Conference, and were honored to present as the only panel speakers from the United States. Hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy from Sept. 24–25, 2025, in Welisara, the conference convened senior maritime leaders from 36 countries and 14 international organizations to address evolving security challenges, focusing on this year’s theme, “Maritime Outlook of the Indian Ocean under Changing Dynamics.”
Mike Kolton joined the DKI APCSS in 2025. His teaching and research interests include China-Taiwan dynamics, whole-of-society resilience, emerging economic trends, and the defense industrial base of the U.S. and its partners. Prior to joining DKI APCSS, Mike served as an officer in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after a career that spanned across operational, intelligence, diplomatic, and policy roles. He earned an M.A. in Global Affairs from Yale University’s Jackson School, an M.A. in Economics from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, and a B.S. in Economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Maj. Patrick Moran joined the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) in July 2025 as a U.S. Marine Corps fellow. Before being assigned to DKI APCSS, Moran served within the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan. He was the 3rd Marine Division Southeast Asia planner, followed by assignments at the 9th Engineer Support Battalion as the operations officer and executive officer. Moran’s military education includes the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College (non-resident), Expeditionary Warfare School, Joint Engineer Officer Course, and Marine Corps Engineer Officer Course.
Lt. Cmdr. Kim Shadwick joined DKI APCSS in July 2025. Prior to relocating to Hawaii, Shadwick served in Washington, D.C., as a military assistant to the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Her previous assignments include shipboard, sector, and U.S. Coast Guard Academy positions, where she managed counter-drug operations, migrant interdiction, search and rescue, and emergency planning activities.
Major Ray Ridley joined the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in July 2025, following his two-year assignment as the 17th commandant of the High Technology Regional Training Site-Maintenance in Sacramento. He has spent most of his 14-year military career in signal battalions, with his initial year at Joint Task Force Bravo in Honduras. As the battalion S6 for the Army Forces Battalion in Honduras, Ridley traveled extensively throughout the region.
Lieutenant Colonel Rajan Pal is currently serving as a Military Professor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii. Previously he was the Director, Air Force Capabilities Development, Office of Defense Cooperation, U.S. Embassy New Delhi, India. He was responsible for enhancing interoperability and Indian Air Force warfighting capabilities in support of USINDOPACOM objectives, managing a foreign military sales portfolio, and serving as the principal advisor to senior DoD and DoS officials on Indian Air Force security cooperation matters. Lt Col Pal obtained his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from California State University (CSU), Sacramento and subsequently earned his commission through the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School in 2007. After commissioning, he served in various acquisition and operational roles before transitioning to the Foreign Area Officer career field.
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