LMC 2024: Let Us Not Despair, But Act

The Next Conflict on the Horizon: Tensions in the Indo-Pacific

Intelligence reports state that China’s President Xi Jinping has instructed his country’s military to be ready by 2027 to invade Taiwan. At the same time, tensions remain high over territorial claims in the South China Sea. The already tense geopolitical situation is made worse by the North Korean leader’s aggressive rhetoric combined with frequent missile tests that are helped along by technological cooperation with Russia and Iran. The risk of escalation is high. Is war inevitable? What can be done to reduce risks? Does the recent slight thaw in US-China relations offer hope of a de-escalation? What lessons can be drawn from the war in Ukraine for a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific?