The Future of Security in the Indo-Pacific

In a period of intensifying geopolitical competition, the Indo-Pacific region has become a central arena where strategic, economic, technological, and legal challenges shape the future of international security. Many of the commitments and norms underpinning the regional order face reassessment. Perry World House convened experts, scholars, and practitioners for a workshop focused on security issues in the Indo-Pacific region on April 9-10, 2025. This workshop discussed key areas likely to evolve under a second Trump administration, including minilateral groupings, regional deterrence, and the role of international law, especially in the South China Sea. It also identified potential disruptive risks to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The workshop was structured around four panels: Minilateralism in the Age of Trump 2.0; The Future of Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific; International Law and Conflict Disputes: The Case of the South China Sea; Black Swans and Gray Rhinos in the Indo-Pacific.