Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific

Long-standing alliances and partnerships with Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands are an essential component of U.S. national security. CSIS fosters policy discussions on the future of the U.S.-Australia alliance, as well as deepening economic and technological exchange with Australia, advancing AUKUS, elevating cooperation with New Zealand, and bolstering U.S. engagement in the Pacific Islands amid rising strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Photo: iLab/CSIS

What are CSIS experts' boldest geopolitical predictions in 2026?

12 CSIS experts join Will to share significant developments in different parts of the world in 2025, and predictions for 2026.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Ryan C. Berg, Max Bergmann, Victor Cha, Thomas J. Christensen, Charles Edel, Kristi Govella, Henrietta Levin, Bonny Lin, Oge Onubogu, Gregory B. Poling, Richard M. Rossow, and Mona Yacoubian — January 15, 2026

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Gregory B. Poling

Gregory B. Poling

Director and Senior Fellow, Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
Photo: CSIS

Kathryn Paik

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Australia Chair
Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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What are CSIS experts' boldest geopolitical predictions in 2026?

12 CSIS experts join Will to share significant developments in different parts of the world in 2025, and predictions for 2026.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Ryan C. Berg, Max Bergmann, Victor Cha, Thomas J. Christensen, Charles Edel, Kristi Govella, Henrietta Levin, Bonny Lin, Oge Onubogu, Gregory B. Poling, Richard M. Rossow, and Mona Yacoubian — January 15, 2026

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Indo-Pacific Forecast 2026

Please join the CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy (GFP) Department's annual preview of political, economic, and security developments across the region.

Event — January 14, 2026

Navigating the Divide: Why the U.S. Navy Must Resume FONOPs in Indonesia

For nearly a decade, the U.S. has quietly acquiesced to Indonesia’s restrictive maritime claims to avoid diplomatic friction. This policy has failed. To prevent a catastrophic loss of access during a future crisis, the U.S. Navy must resume targeted Freedom of Navigation Operations.

Commentary by Patrick Panjeti — December 11, 2025

The Mogami: Advancing Australia-Japan Defense Cooperation

In August 2025, the Australian government announced its selection of the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate as its new general-purpose frigate. CSIS Japan Chair Visiting Fellow Moyuru Tanaka analyzes the significance as well as implications of this development.

Commentary by Moyuru Tanaka — November 21, 2025

Australia's Digital Market Regulation: An Evidence-Backed Review

As Canberra considers the best path forward to shape its digital competition policy, it must weigh the existing evidence of ex ante regulation’s impact on product variety, prices, productivity, investment, and innovation.

Blog Post by Philip Luck — November 7, 2025

Ahead of APEC, Trump Signs Flurry of Bilateral Minerals Agreements on Asia Tour

Leading up to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, President Trump signed new bilateral minerals agreements between the United States and Australia, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand, marking an escalation in minerals diversification efforts.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz — October 31, 2025

Southeast Asia Radio

Pacific Airwaves - Rivalry, Resilience, and Regional Unity

Monica and Andreyka discuss great power rivalry in the Pacific, climate change, and domestic politics in Nauru and the Solomon Islands.

Podcast Episode by Andreyka Natalegawa and Monica Sato — October 30, 2025

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio

Unpacking the U.S.-Australia Critical Minerals Framework Agreement

The new U.S.–Australia Critical Minerals Framework cements the alliance as a cornerstone of global minerals security, combining over billions of dollars in joint investments with expanded defense cooperation—and reframing minerals as strategic assets, not just commodities.

Critical Questions by Gracelin Baskaran and Kessarin Horvath — October 20, 2025