The Strategic Asia Program is a major ongoing research initiative that draws together top Asia studies specialists and international relations experts to assess the strategic environment in the Asia-Pacific and to examine the strategies and perceptions that shape policy in the region. The program produces an annual volume, an executive summary, an online database, and briefings.

The Strategic Asia Annual Volume

The research presented in the Strategic Asia annual volume transcends traditional estimates of military balance by incorporating economic, political, and demographic data on the region and then asking what "strategic Asia" will look like in five years. Strategic Asia 2008–09: Challenges and Choices (September 2008), assesses the major strategic choices on Asia facing the new U.S. president and administration as well as the broader policy community.

bookcover Strategic Asia 2008–09: Challenges and Choices
co-edited by Ashley J. Tellis, Mercy Kuo, and Andrew Marble
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View Executive Summary with chapter synopses.

Book Launch Events:"Challenges and Choices in Asia" and "Asia's Wildcards"

NBR launched Strategic Asia 2008–09: Challenges and Choices at two public events in Washington, D.C., on September 18, 2008. The first event, “Challenges and Choices in Asia,” featured keynote speaker Senator Chuck Hagel as well as presentations by select volume authors. Collectively, the authors argued that the Asia-Pacific has emerged as a center of global power and influence and should be a major focus of the next administration’s foreign policy agenda. The second launch event, “Asia's Wildcards: Pakistan, North Korea, and Iran,” which took place on Capitol Hill, highlighted the most imminent challenges in Asia that could upset regional security and frustrate U.S. interests. View the press release.

Event Agenda for "Challenges and Choices in Asia."

Opening Remarks audio

David M. Lampton, Dean of Faculty and Director of China Studies, SAIS
Richard J. Ellings, President, The National Bureau of Asian Research

U.S. Power in Asia

Overview: Key Issues Facing U.S. Policy audio

Ashley J. Tellis, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

The United States and Asia audio

Richard K. Betts, Columbia University

China and Japan

Managing China as a Strategic Challenge audio

Michael D. Swaine, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Japan: Divided Government, Diminished Returns audio

Sheila A. Smith, Council on Foreign Relations

Keynote Address

Introduction audio

Richard J. Ellings, President, The National Bureau of Asian Research

Keynote Address audio

Senator Chuck Hagel

Q&A audio

Senator Chuck Hagel

Russia and India

Mind the Gap: Russian Ambitions vs. Russian Reality audio

Eugene B. Rumer, National Defense University

Partnering with India: Regional Power, Global Hopes audio

Teresita C. Schaffer, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Q&A audio

Concluding Remarks audio

Richard J. Ellings, President, The National Bureau of Asian Research

The Strategic Asia Online Database

Strategic Asia Program has updated its free online database with indicators for 2007. For those interested in tracking strategic trends in Asia, NBR has created sample charts and graphs with detailed instructions on how to create similar charts and graphs using the database. For additional information about the database, click here.

Strategic Asia is a major initiative of The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR). NBR is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution dedicated to informing and strengthening policy in the Asia-Pacific.

NBR is very interested in receiving your feedback regarding the Strategic Asia products you have used.  Please send feedback to StrategicAsia@nbr.org. We value your interest and comments.


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