Europe's Expanding Role in the Indo-Pacific

Hudson Institute hosted a discussion on Europe’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Panelists included Dr. Patrick M. Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security chair at Hudson Institute; Dr. John Hemmings, deputy director of research and director of the Asia Studies Centre at the Henry Jackson Society; Liselotte Odgaard, visiting senior fellow at Hudson Institute; and Dr. Satoru Nagao, a Hudson Institute visiting fellow.

Europe’s presence in the Indo-Pacific is on the rise. Recent announcements suggest the UK plans to dispatch one of its aircraft carriers to the Pacific and is considering establishing a series of new bases in the region. Meanwhile, France is working with Japan to address mutual regional concerns and is discussing the possibility of holding bilateral exercises with the Japanese military. Both France and the UK are increasing their overall naval presence in Asia-Pacific, which has been welcomed by allies, but spurned by others, particularly China. Yet both countries continue to reinforce regional alliances that in the long term will strengthen Europe’s strategic position in the region.