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Beijing’s Quiet Calculus in the Iran–Israel War — Beijing’s Quiet Calculus in the Iran–Israel War

Jagannath Panda writes for the ISPI that Beijing has sought to portray itself in the Iran-Israel war as the only major power capable of projecting stability, restraint, and adherence to international law amid the turbulence associated with the Trump administration. It is important to note that the Iran conflict has offered China an opportunity to reinforce this narrative, casting the United States as reactive and overstretched while positioning itself as disciplined and strategically patient. Yet this posture remains deeply instrumental, writes Panda. China’s approach is not about resolving the crisis but appears as a responsible stakeholder, managing its consequences to its advantage—preserving energy flows, expanding strategic space, and avoiding costly entanglements. This calibrated ambiguity allows Beijing to benefit from disorder without owning its risks. Read this piece by Jagannath Panda here.

TRILATERAL IMPERATIVES: Japan-India-EU Cooperation on Economic Security — TRILATERAL IMPERATIVES: Japan-India-EU Cooperation on Economic Security

This book is the outcome of a joint effort to examine and address the pressing challenges that the EU is facing and how it can craft meaningful ties with Japan and India. It represents the culmination of international collaborative research conducted by the Kajima Institute of International Peace (KIIP), a Japanese policy think tank, and the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP), a Swedish policy research organization. This study brought together researchers and scholars from Sweden and other European nations, Japan, and India, and developed policy recommendations for enhancing economic security cooperation among Japan, India, and Europe. Read and download this book here.

False Promises, Real Leverage: SEZs under CPEC in Pakistan — False Promises, Real Leverage: SEZs under CPEC in Pakistan

This issue brief by Sriparna Pathak examines selected Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase 1, along with some of the energy and railway projects to assess their economic and strategic implications. The brief argues that China leverages its deepening economic footprint in Pakistan to secure diplomatic support in multilateral forums, including UN agencies. The author further writes that China’s investment in Pakistan predates the announcement of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), yet tangible improvements across key economic and social sectors remain limited. Read and download the brief here.

Global Chokepoints and Sweden’s Economic Security: Why the Gulf Crisis Matters for Sweden — Global Chokepoints and Sweden’s Economic Security: Why the Gulf Crisis Matters for Sweden

This piece by Kristian Alexander argues that the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is a reminder that global economic stability rests on fragile foundations. A single chokepoint thousands of kilometers away can influence fuel prices in Stockholm, shipping costs in Gothenburg, and supply chains across Europe. For Sweden, the lesson is clear: safeguarding international trade routes and supporting diplomatic solutions to geopolitical crises are not abstract foreign policy goals. They are essential to protecting the prosperity and security of an open, globally connected economy, writes Alexander. Read this piece here.

Silk Cage-II Webinar Report on “Corridor, Client, or Catalyst? CPEC and Beijing’s Strategic Leverage from Pakistan to the Indian Ocean” — Silk Cage-II Webinar Report on “Corridor, Client, or Catalyst? CPEC and Beijing’s Strategic Leverage from Pakistan to the Indian Ocean”

This report is the outcome of the second webinar in the Silk Cage series, held on February 19, 2026. This webinar addressed debates surrounding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with a central question: is CPEC primarily an economic development initiative, or does it function as a strategic instrument through which Beijing reshapes security alignments from South Asia to the Indian Ocean? While framed as a growth corridor vital to Pakistan’s development, CPEC is increasingly viewed as a mechanism that embeds long-term strategic leverage, linking continental access to maritime reach. This tension between development and security anchored the discussion. A recording of the webinar is available on YouTube. Read the full report here.

Gender Polarization among South Korean Youth: Determinants, Conscription, and Comparative Insights from Sweden — Gender Polarization among South Korean Youth: Determinants, Conscription, and Comparative Insights from Sweden

Hannah June Kim writes on how gender polarization among young South Koreans has become one of the most significant social and political dynamics of the past decade. Young men and women are increasingly viewed as separate, and often opposing, groups. She argues that although frequently framed as a cultural or ideological divide, the tensions are often rooted in structural pressures and institutional arrangements. Employment insecurity, soaring housing costs, and male-only mandatory military service generate grievances that are often expressed in zero-sum terms. Online discourse further amplifies identity-based antagonism and grievance narratives, writes Hannah June Kim. Read the full issue brief here.

‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ to ‘Vishwa Guru’: India’s shrewd management of (In)security in Indo-Pacific — ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ to ‘Vishwa Guru’: India’s shrewd management of (In)security in Indo-Pacific

This article by Jagannath Panda examines how the concept of ontological insecurity has shaped India’s foreign policy in the context of its regional and global engagements. Specifically, it explores how India’s narratives of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth, One Family, One Future) and Vishwa Guru (World Leader) have emerged as strategic tools to address identity-based challenges, particularly those posed by China’s growing influence and revisionist policies. By analyzing critical events such as the Doklam standoff, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and the Galwan Valley clashes, the article argues that India’s foreign policy reflects an attempt to manage disruptions to its ontological security. Access the article here.

Xi Jinping’s Multilateral Diplomacy and Pakistan: China’s Strategic Shield in International Institutions — Xi Jinping’s Multilateral Diplomacy and Pakistan: China’s Strategic Shield in International Institutions

Niklas Swanström writes that the Chinese use of multilateral diplomacy to shield Pakistan represents one of the most consequential dimensions of Sino-Pakistan relations and reveals fundamental tensions in Beijing’s approach to the rules-based international order. While China publicly champions counter-terrorism cooperation and positions itself as a responsible stakeholder in international institutions, its systematic protection of Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral forums directly contradicts these stated principles. This issue brief by Niklas Swanström discusses how China’s behavioral pattern offers insights into Xi Jinping’s strategic priorities, the limits of Chinese commitment to multilateral norms, and the emerging contours of great power competition in South Asia. Read and download the brief here.

China’s Anti-Corruption Campaign in the PLA — China’s Anti-Corruption Campaign in the PLA

This ISDP factsheet maps key investigations and leadership removals affecting China’s military since 2023 and presents data on developments within the PLA’s senior leadership. It also highlights the potential implications of these developments for China’s military modernization, defense industry performance, and the evolving security environment around Taiwan. Download and read this factsheet here.

Events »

31 Mar

Research and Innovation Series (RIS) – Part V: UK Perspectives on Research and Innovation Security
15 Apr

Taiwan-Nordic Forum 2026
22 Apr

Silk Cage Series – Webinar IV: Corridors of Influence? The China–Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor and Beijing’s Expanding Power Architecture

Publications »

Beijing’s Quiet Calculus in the Iran–Israel War

Jagannath Panda

TRILATERAL IMPERATIVES: Japan-India-EU Cooperation on Economic Security

Takashi Sekiyama, Jagannath Panda and Tatsuo Shikata

False Promises, Real Leverage: SEZs under CPEC in Pakistan

Sriparna Pathak

Silk Cage-II Webinar Report on “Corridor, Client, or Catalyst? CPEC and Beijing’s Strategic Leverage from Pakistan to the Indian Ocean”

Sevil Khikmatova, Anne Weiler and Jagannath Panda

Gender Polarization among South Korean Youth: Determinants, Conscription, and Comparative Insights from Sweden

Hannah June Kim

‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ to ‘Vishwa Guru’: India’s shrewd management of (In)security in Indo-Pacific

Jagannath Panda

ISDP Spotlight

The application period for ISDP’s fall 2026 internships is now open! — The application period for ISDP’s fall 2026 internships is now open!

Are you looking for work experience in the field of international security and development? Do you have a particular interest in Asia? Now is the time to apply for our fall 2026 internships: We are looking for interns for our Korea Center, Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs, Taiwan Center, and Center for Research and Innovation Security, as well as the Asia Program. We look forward to receiving your application no later than April 6, 2026.

ISDP Annual Report 2025 — ISDP Annual Report 2025

2025 has been a year defined by accelerating geopolitical competition, deteriorating security environments, and increasing uncertainty across multiple regions. Many of these developments have continued to shape ISDP’s work and remain central to our research and outreach. Read about our activities in the annual report for 2025. We are pleased to continue another year of meaningful engagement, high-quality research, and constructive discussions that advance understanding and support informed decision-making.

Recording available: Research and Innovation Series (RIS) – Part III: Are US Research Security Policies Working? — Recording available: Research and Innovation Series (RIS) – Part III: Are US Research Security Policies Working?

This webinar focused on the study “Are Research Security Policies in the US Working? A Case Study on Research Collaborations with PRC Defense Laboratories and US Federally Sponsored Research,” by Jeffrey Stoff, Non-Resident Senior Research Fellow at ISDP and founder and president of the Center for Research Security & Integrity, John Sava, Senior Investigator for the Congressional Select Committee on China and LJ Eads, Director of Research Intelligence at Parallax Advanced Research.

Workshop within the EuroHub4Sino project: EU-US-China Science and Technology Competition in the Age of Complexity — Workshop within the EuroHub4Sino project: EU-US-China Science and Technology Competition in the Age of Complexity

Niklas Swanström joined the CISAD Workshop: EU-US-China Science and Technology Competition in the Age of Complexity, which was organized within the EuroHub4Sino) project. The event explored how China’s technological strategies impact Europe and the EU’s position, including the shaping of digital space by Chinese firms and the paradoxes of restrictions amid technological progress.

The Nordic-Korea Next Generation Training Program 2025/2026 has reached its completion — The Nordic-Korea Next Generation Training Program 2025/2026 has reached its completion

The Nordic-Korea Next Generation Training Program 2025/2026 has reached its completion. On Thursday, February 12th, the culmination of this year’s program took place as the four outstanding participants presented their research findings. Sponsored by The Korea Foundation, the program aims to foster the next generation of policy experts and strengthen the ties between the Nordic region and the Korean Peninsula.