The 21st century has been touted as the ‘Asian century’ not only because the balance of economic power is shifting east with the rise of China and other Asian emerging and industrialising countries. With many deep-seated and unresolved post-colonial and Cold war-era divisions, as well as growing tensions over territorial and resource conflicts, East Asia may well become a theatre of war among major powers.

SDSC’s expertise in Asia-Pacific security span the vital strategic relations between the United States, China and Japan; flashpoints such as the Korean peninsula and the East and South China Seas; global strategic problems like nuclear proliferation and maritime security; transnational security challenges and cooperation; and the nexus between economic and security issues. Our research in these areas informs our understanding of key strategic challenges and defence priorities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Adding to the strength of this research cluster is the recent establishment of the Graduate Research and Development Network on Asian Security. GRADNAS aims to build an international network of key scholars undertaking cutting-edge research on strategic and security issues in Asia, which effectively combines solid area studies knowledge with conceptual analysis.

Convened by Professor Evelyn Goh and based at the Australian National University, this network will include established scholars from leading universities around the world, as well as advanced doctoral students and promising early career researchers in a series of programmes for training, exchange and research collaboration.