Former Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott: A Discussion on Innovative Policy Options for Strategic Competition with China

Australia’s 2020 Defence Strategic Update states, “strategic competition, primarily between the United states and China, will be the principal driver of strategic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.” This likely holds true for Japan and other U.S. allies and partners as well.  In fact, amid shifting power dynamics, the United States and its allies and partners face the most consequential challenge to global peace and security since the end of World War II. As such, the United States and its allies and partners need to think creatively and initiate proactive measures to sufficiently deter, preempt, and, if necessary, confront Chinese behavior that challenges the rules, norms, and peace and security of the Indo-Pacific region. With the recent events of AUKUS and China’s filing to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTTP), the United States and its allies must think strategically about security and economic next steps and explore new and creative opportunities to counter the growing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

With Australia’s former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Project 2049’s Chairman Randall Schriver and Wilson Center’s Deputy Director Shihoko Goto will explore the current state of the strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific. What are the most pressing challenges posed by the Chinese Community Party and what are the Australian and Japanese governments’ concerns in the region? What factors should the U.S. and allies and partners’ policymakers consider when pursuing strategic alliances in the region? What innovative policy solutions are available to Washington, Canberra, and Tokyo?