Increased engagement between NATO and partner countries in the Indo-Pacific — Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand — is taking shape amid Russia’s war against Ukraine, NATO’s growing appreciation for the cross-regional investment in Euro-Atlantic security, and important structural changes in the international system, including the return of strategic competition. As Washington prepares to host the next NATO Summit this July, the deterrence, information exchange, interoperability, and other advantages of collaboration between U.S. allies in the Euro-Atlantic and U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific are once again in the spotlight.

To better understand these changes and what they mean for U.S. security, USIP convened a study group of experts from Australia, Europe, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and North America. The group’s final report discusses Indo-Pacific partners’ perspectives on NATO, as well as the dynamics of NATO and Indo-Pacific partner relations. 

On April 22, USIP hosted a discussion on NATO’s relations with its Indo-Pacific partners ahead of the July 2024 summit and the benefits and interests that have led the United States to support the development of these partnerships over time.

Continue the conversation on social media using the hashtags #Road2NATO and #NATOSummit.

Confirmed Participants

Lise Grandeopening remarks 
President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

Kurt M. Campbell, keynote remarks
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of State

Stephen J. Hadley, moderator
Former Chair, Board of Directors, U.S. Institute of Peace

Douglas D. Jones
Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Ellison S. Laskowski
Senior Advisor for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State

John Manza
Former NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations

Mirna Galic
Chair, USIP Expert Study Group on NATO and Indo-Pacific Partners

Related Publications

In Europe, Xi Looks to Boost Ties — and Sow Divisions

In Europe, Xi Looks to Boost Ties — and Sow Divisions

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Chinese leader Xi Jinping last week made his first trip to the European continent in five years, visiting France, Hungary and Serbia. In Paris, Xi faced tough questions over trade and China’s support for Russia and its war in Ukraine, but met a much friendlier reception in Budapest and Belgrade, both of which view China as a key economic and political partner. Still, the visit demonstrated the obstacles Beijing faces in fostering deeper ties across Europe, where resentment is simmering over China’s moral and materiel aid to Russia and what Europe views as unfair trade practices.

Type: Question and Answer

Global Policy

China’s Edge in the Pacific Islands: Xi Jinping Makes Time for Leaders

China’s Edge in the Pacific Islands: Xi Jinping Makes Time for Leaders

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

If the U.S. government wants an edge over China in the Pacific Islands, it needs to facilitate more meetings between the president of the United States and regional leaders, preferably one-on-one. When Pacific Island leaders fly to Beijing, they often have a one-on-one meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but such a meeting between the leader of a Pacific Island country and a sitting president of the United States has never taken place. The White House has only conducted joint meetings with Pacific Island leaders. Sometimes even joint meetings don’t make the cut.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

What Does the Xi-Ma Meeting Mean for Cross-Strait Relations?

What Does the Xi-Ma Meeting Mean for Cross-Strait Relations?

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Chinese leader Xi Jinping held talks on April 10 with former Taiwan president Ma Ying-Jeou in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. The meeting came as tensions between Beijing and Taipei remain high, particularly following Taiwan’s election at the beginning of the year, which saw pro-sovereignty candidate William Lai Ching-te win a historic third term for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Ma served as president from 2008 to 2016, is a member of the Nationalist (KMT) party and is known for advocating closer ties with mainland China.

Type: Question and Answer

Global Policy

View All Publications