Pacific Forum

Introduction Over the course of 9 months, eight Philippines Technology Policy fellows engaged in substantive research on policies related to Philippine’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem and strengthening U.S.-Philippines cooperation in the semiconductor sector. The eight fellows engaged in independent primary and secondary research alongside virtual meetings with industry experts and other guest speakers.

Introduction For all the ways that the US-India partnership is expanding, there remains an area where there is still plenty of space for growth: The training of young Americans to acquire expertise on India and the surrounding South Asian subregion. Pacific Forum has done its part to engage Indian officials, thought leaders, and next-generation analysts through our programs, but in 2026, we chose to address the gap on the US side by launching The Seminar on Contemporary India.

The US-China relationship stands at a perilous threshold, defined by military friction, accelerating technological competition, and shrinking margins for miscalculation. As Washington debates how to navigate Beijing’s ascent, American strategy should realign its ambitions with realities.

Japan’s review of its three strategic documents—the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defense Buildup Program—comes as nuclear weapons move to the foreground of Asian security. The review must address nuclear questions without forcing a premature conclusion. Japan needs a strategy that preserves credible deterrence without treating nuclear weapons as omnipotent.

Introduction 2025 and 2026 have proven to be eventful years for the US-India partnership—for good and for ill. Since mid-2025 Pacific Forum has, with the support of the Hindu American Foundation, stepped up our efforts to recruit and publish commentary from leading experts on, in, and around India to include their insights on regional security. Some of the best examples of that work, encompassing PacNets from 2025 and, following the name change, Pilot contributions in 2026, are included here.

Introduction Over the course of 9 months, eight Vietnam Technology Policy fellows engaged in substantive research on policies related to Vietnam’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem and developing a framework for successful U.S.-Vietnam cooperation in the semiconductor sector. The eight fellows engaged in independent primary and secondary research alongside virtual meetings with industry experts and other guest speakers.

Pacific Islands – Geostrategic change, old friends and new challenges: A New Zealand Perspective The Pacific Islands are navigating an increasingly complex geostrategic environment, shaped by strategic competition, security concerns, climate impacts, and evolving partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

An Indian iron ore company, a bilateral agreement between Washington and New Delhi, and the Trump administration’s America First policies may hold the key to the final resolution of a long-standing political dispute between the government of Papua New Guinea and a state seeking complete political autonomy.

In early 2026, a familiar foe for Washington in Iran and an unfamiliar all-out conflict with the regime, which began on Feb. 28 with the killing of the Iranian supreme leader, brought about the current conflagration in the Middle East.

Palau’s hosting of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting last week was bound to attract geopolitical attention. China objected to Taiwan’s participation, several Pacific leaders were absent at the last minute, and all but one of the leaders present backed concerns about China’s recent ballistic missile test in the Pacific.