Two free reports provide insights into big power contention and impacts in the Asia-Pacific and ASEAN theatres

ASEAN Strategic presents two new and detailed reports focussing on geopolitical assessments from the European Union and the United States of America on possible near-future military and economic battlegrounds. Their publishers have kindly made digital versions available free-of-charge for a period of time:

CONNECTIVITY WARS: Why migration, finance and trade are the geo-economic battlegrounds of

the future (published January 2016 by the European Council on Foreign Relations). This collection of 23 essays edited by Mark Leonard explores how the world’s powers are weaponising the interconnectedness of the global economic system - specifically economic, institutions and  infrastructure - in order to hit out at each other. Sanctions, currency manipulation, boycotts and public divestment campaigns, controlling migrant flows, digital and physical infrastructure, and more are all being used by countries around the world. The report, written by authors such as Ian Bremmer, Kelly M. Greenhill, Parag Khanna, Hina Rabbani Khar and Juan Zarate, also highlights which countries form the new “geo-economic G7” – the new superpowers of finance, regulation, migration, spoiling and energy, plus “Peoples Power,” and what influence each exerts. Download the report here.

ASIA-PACIFIC REBALANCE 2025: Capabilities, Presence,

and Partnerships (published December 2015 by Center for Strategic and International Studies with Rowman & Littlefield). This independent assessment of the USA’s military strategy and force posture in the Asia-Pacific, as well as that of USA’s allies and partners, over the next decade, is edited by Michael J. Green, Kathleen H. Hicks, Mark F. Cancian, John Schaus and Zack Cooper. They and authors assess USA progress to date and recommend initiatives necessary to protect USA military interests in the Pacific Command area of responsibility through 2025. Four lines of effort are highlighted: (1) continuing to align Asia strategy within the USA government and with allies and partners; (2) accelerating efforts to strengthen ally and partner capability, capacity, resilience, and interoperability; (3) sustaining and expanding USA military presence in the Asia-Pacific region; and (4) accelerating development of innovative capabilities and concepts for USA forces. Download the report here