Publications
The latest publication of the Observatory – « The Indo-Pacific »
september 2023
This book, published as part of the L’Enjeu mondial collection co-produced by CERI and Presses de Sciences Po, offers an in-depth exploration of a region that has become central to contemporary geopolitical dynamics: the Indo-Pacific. It analyzes the region’s strategic, economic, and political stakes through contributions from leading scholars and experts. What sets this volume apart is its pedagogical approach, clear writing supported by colorful maps, informative graphs, and up-to-date data, making complex global issues accessible to a wide audience.
Read the summary below:
« Backed by maps and data, this book offers, through various contributions, an unprecedented synthesis of analyses on a region that has become a global strategic issue: the Indo-Pacific.
First formulated in 2007 to highlight the convergence of Indian and Japanese interests in maritime security, the concept of the Indo-Pacific established itself on the international agenda within a decade. It shapes the political and strategic discourse of most states interacting in this region and, beyond that, becomes a subject of competing definitions, reinventions, and disputes. It acts as a geopolitical lens through which each actor seems to project their vision of the world.
With the support of maps and data, this book presents, through various contributions, a unique synthesis of analyses on a region that has become a global strategic issue ».
The Paradox of Peace Advocacy and Arms Trade: How could the European Union contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea
juin 2023
by Yuki Kurihara, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This essay by PSIA Student, Yuki Kurihara explores the significant growth in defense budgets and arms trades Southeast Asian countries have witnessed, largely influenced by China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. While defense budgets and arms imports have increased across the region, variations exist in the security policies and procurement strategies of different nations. European arms suppliers, despite advocating peaceful resolutions, have played a significant role in enhancing Southeast Asian naval capabilities, raising concerns about the EU’s involvement in regional militarization. A comprehensive legal framework and strategic policies are needed for the EU to ensure responsible arms trade and maintain regional security.
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Taiwan’s Indo-Pacific strategy: Innovating Under Constraint
juin 2023
by Noé Baudouin, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This PSIA student essay explores how Taiwan’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific is heavily influenced by the US and China. The US has been Taiwan’s historical protector, providing security guarantees and support, while China poses a significant threat, claiming Taiwan as part of its territory. Taiwan’s strategy involves balancing its reliance on the US for security and international recognition with the challenges posed by China’s pressure and influence.
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To What Extent will AUKUS Reshape France’s Strategic Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific? 
mai 2022
by Louis Hobbs Martin, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
Louis Hobbs Martin analyses the impact of exclusion of France from the strategic alliance of AUKUS and its implications for the partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
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ASEAN as a normative entrepreneur: The Circulation of ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo- Pacific
juin 2023
by Sarah Mores, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This PSIA student essay evaluates ASEAN’s normative power in the Asia Pacific region through the lens of the Indo-Pacific concept. It argues that the adoption of an ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific reflects norm localization rather than the struggle between the US and China. By reframing the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN has the opportunity to break away from the narrative of « failed regionalism » and gain more agency in international relations. However, ASEAN needs to take proactive steps and develop necessary infrastructure to fully realize this potential.
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China and the Rules-Based International Order: Challenges and Compliance
juin 2023
by Summer Sheridan, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This essay written by PSIA Sciences Po Student, Summer Sheridan examines whether China’s actions in the South China Sea have challenged the rules-based international order (RBIO). It concludes that while China has attempted to change certain aspects of the order, it has not fundamentally challenged the power distribution, institutional arrangements, or norms diffusion. It also suggests that China’s desire for change does not equate to a challenge to the RBIO as a whole, and it benefits from the existing order.
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Is the Singaporean model of foreign relations a tenable model for smaller nations in the Indo-Pacific?
septembre 2022
by Shravan Krishnan Sharma, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This PSIA student essay written by Shravan Krishnan Sharma examines Singapore’s foreign policy model and if it can be a viable template for other smaller nations in the Indo-Pacific.
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New Realities in the Pacific Islands: Is Australia Meeting its Potential?
juin 2023
by Niamh Fitzgerald, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This essay by PSIA student, Niamh Fitzgerald highlights the importance of operating within a multilateral setting and forming relationships with Pacific Island nations for a stable and less competitive environment. It suggests that New Zealand, Japan, France, and even China could be potential partners for Australia. The essay emphasizes the need for Australia to prioritize climate change commitments to secure its interests and remain competitive in the South Pacific region while promoting regional development and engagement.
The Difficulties and Possibilities of China’s Pulling Taiwan Together in the Context of Great Power Competition: What is China’s Better Alternative to Unifying Taiwan by Force?
juin 2023
by Hainan Zhou, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This essay by PSIA student, Hainan Zhou proposes a strategy that begins with using economic disadvantages to gradually increase Beijing’s influence on Taiwanese society while maintaining the existing diplomatic siege on Taiwan. The approach aims to create economic dependence, prompting Taiwan to passively move closer to mainland China and allowing for increased meddling in its affairs. However, careful consideration is necessary regarding the timing, means, and utilization of this economic intervention for cross-strait negotiations.
China’s Eurasian Strategy
juin 2023
by Marcello Galuzzo, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This PSIA student essay explores whether the Shanghai Cooperation Organization could be the response to an American Indo-Pacific.
Hedging Between Two Seas?
juin 2023
by Camille Ibos, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This PSIA student essay explores how New Zealand has embraced the Indo-Pacific concept and prioritized independence, inclusiveness, and diversification in its foreign policy as well as how it seeks to safeguard a stable Indo-Pacific through trade centrality, a rules-based order, and its anti-nuclear stance. As geo-strategic tensions increase, New Zealand may explore cooperation with Quad and AUKUS members, seek new markets for trade diversification, and foster relationships with ASEAN and India for future opportunities.
Intellectual Property in the Indo-Pacific
juin 2023
by Auriane Mattera, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This PSIA student essay written by Auriane Mattera examines the multipolarity that the Indo-Pacific is experiencing in patent production, driven by the shift to knowledge economies. Private companies, rather than governments, are leading the competitive struggle, while government funding for R&D has declined. Geopolitical risks and the securitization of private companies may reshape IP competition in the Indo-Pacific, necessitating research on governmental proxy usage of private companies for future IP strategies.
South Korea’s New Southern Policy: An Indo-Pacific strategy in disguise
mai 2022
by Florence Wabinski, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
In this essay, Florence Wabinski analyses South Korea’s attempt to develop an Indo-Pacific strategy under the guise of the New Southern Policy (Plus) framework.
South Korea’s middle power security ambition: strategic autonomy
mai 2022
by Claire (Hyun seung) Jeon, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This PSIA student essay written by Claire (Hyun seung) Jeon outlines South Korea’s security ambition for strategic autonomy in the Indo-Pacific region.
Smaller states’ multidimensional approach to the Indo-Pacific
mai 2022
by Samira Grotto, PSIA, Sciences Po
In this PSIA student essay written by Samira Grotto examines the current Indo-Pacific geopolitical framework: the rise of China, big power dynamics and implications for smaller and middle powers.
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How is the Indo-Pacific putting India and China into a power competition relation, and how is India trying to resist China?
mai 2022
by Susane Radjaradjane, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
In this essay Susane Radjaradjane analyses the balance of power in the theatre of the Indo-Pacific and she also outlines the India’s policies and strategic alliances in order to resist China.
Reaching strategic autonomy in the naval industry: A challenge for India in the context of its strategy for the Indo-Pacific
mai 2022
by Marie Desbonnets, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
This PSIA student essay written by Marie Desbonnets analyses the evolution of the Indian Naval Industry and its quest of strategic autonomy in the theatre of the Indo-Pacific.
Japan’s quest for energy security in the ‘new’ world of geopolitics
mai 2022
by Tanvi Riise, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
Tanvi Riise analyses Japan’s quest for energy security in light of a global energy crisis and ever changing geopolitical scenario.
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To what extent is the Indo-Pacific the battleground of a new Cold War between the United States and China?
juin 2023
by Victoire Reboul, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
In this PSIA student essay, Victoire Reboul argues that the idea of a « new Cold War » between the US and China in the Indo-Pacific is misguided due to factors such as high interdependence and the adoption of a two-track foreign policy by most states in the region. Hence, framing the rivalry as a Cold War would be a strategic mistake. The Indo-Pacific is moving towards a model of dynamic bipolarity rather than a return to the Cold War era.
Continuity and Change in Joe Biden’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
mai 2022
by Brynn Hansen, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
In this essay, Brynn Hansen examines President Biden’s Indo-Pacific Strategy by analysing the similarities and differences to his predecessor’s strategic proposals.
Japan’s Indo-Pacific Strategy in Cyberspace
juin 2023
by Piotr Malachinski, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
In this essay PSIA Student, Piotr Malachinski the explores the significant cyber security threats that the Indo-Pacific region faces as it becomes a hub for IT development, increasing the risk of cyber-crime and competition. China is seen as capitalizing on this environment to further its information control and secure access to state secrets. Japan’s cyber-conscious approach and diplomatic efforts show promise, but policy changes and better resource allocation may be needed for effective implementation of the Indo-Pacific cyber strategy.
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The Geotechnological Competition Between USA and China as a Catalyst of the Indo-Pacific Security
mai 2022
by Sterenn Briand, PSIA – Sciences Po Paris
In this essay, Sterenn Briand examines the possibility of geopolitical competition between USA and China and the implications on security in the Indo-Pacific region.
How Franco-Australian Cooperation Can Help Stabilize the Indo-Pacific
avril 2021
Pierre Morcos analyses how the strategic alignment of France and Australia with a common approach as neighbours in the Indo-Pacific can promote a rules-based order that protects sovereignty, fosters trade, and preserves peace.
Franco-German Divergences in the Indo-Pacific: The Risk of Strategic Dilution
octobre 2020
by
Mathieu Duchâtel and Garima Mohan
In this Institut Montaigne article published in October 2020, Mathieu Duchâtel analyses the different approaches of the European Union countries and how the European Union can come together to develop a common approach for the Indo-Pacific.
AUKUS and Submarines: The Fallout for France
In the following article, Valerie Niquet and Marianne Peron-Doise discuss the implications of leaving out France out of a strategic alliance in the Indo-Pacific.
France’s Indo-Pacific strategy: inclusive and principled
décembre 2019
by Françoise Nicolas
This article written by Françoise Nicolas for the French Institute of International Relations 2008, the French White
Paper on Defense and National Security pointed out that France should look beyond West Africa to the entire
Indian Ocean and East Asia region.
Covert Balancing: Great Powers, Secondary States and US Balancing Strategies Against China
février 2021
In this research paper published in the International Affairs journal, Hugo Meijer and Luis Simon focus on how great powers have always devised strategies to keep great rivals in check. The authors analyse various strategies by examining the US approach to China in the Asia-Pacific.