"America's Indo-Pacific Security Priorities" with Ely Ratner

On January 26, 2023, NBR held its nineteenth President’s Circle dialogue with special guest Dr. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs in the Biden administration.

NBR president Roy Kamphausen began the event with an overview of the top issues in Asia since the start of 2023. Roy shared his thoughts on the stark contrast between the triumphant images following the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and the aftermath of the sudden pivot away from the long-standing zero-Covid policy, including the remarkable demonstrations which proliferated across China in protest against the policy. Roy also discussed Japan’s National Security Strategy released in December 2022 and the unprecedented changes therein as well as South Korea’s new Indo-Pacific Strategy.

In the second half of the event, ASD Ratner discussed the Biden administration’s security policy developments in the Indo-Pacific, alliance relationships, the China challenge, and more. ASD Ratner offered insights on topics ranging from the state of defense relations with China and the future of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue to the prospects for growth in strategic partnerships with India and Vietnam.

ASD Ratner joined the dialogue virtually, with audience members calling in from across the United States and Asia.