Institute for Security & Development Policy

Search

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.

India-Sweden Strategic Compass; A Bi-Monthly Newsletter — India-Sweden Strategic Compass; A Bi-Monthly Newsletter

How are India-Sweden ties progressing at the beginning of the year 2026? India–Sweden relations are entering a new phase of strategic depth, driven by technology cooperation, expanding trade, and shared ambitions for sustainable growth. A key catalyst could be the proposed India–EU Free Trade Agreement, which has the potential to significantly strengthen technology and investment linkages between India and Sweden. The agreement would open new avenues for Swedish SMEs and Indian MSMEs to collaborate, expand cross-border trade, and integrate more deeply into each other’s innovation ecosystems. Read the latest issue of India-Sweden Strategic Compass here.

Understanding Korea: Pansori, the Korean blues — Understanding Korea: Pansori, the Korean blues

Lars Vargo examines why Pansori is recognized as one of Korea’s representative forms of intangible cultural heritage and was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2003. He writes that Pansori is sometimes described as a Korean form of opera, but a much more accurate description is to call it a Korean form of blues. Without a certain amount of suffering, blues is not blues. The same applies to pansori, writes Vargo. Read the full piece here.

A New Realism at the Indo-Pacific’s Edge: India, ASEAN, and the Perils of Transactional Power in a Post-Trump Order — A New Realism at the Indo-Pacific’s Edge: India, ASEAN, and the Perils of Transactional Power in a Post-Trump Order

Jagannath Panda writes on how President Trump's "America First" policy is changing the geopolitical equation in ASEAN and in the larger Indo-Pacific region. He addresses a few critical questions in this NIDS special volume: Does Trump 2.0 still see India and ASEAN as the fulcrum of America’s Indo-Pacific strategy, or merely as competitors to be contained through tariffs and transactional diplomacy? And, if America continues to turn inward under Trump’s “economic nationalism,” can Asia sustain its Indo-Pacific vision? And, equally important, can ASEAN, India, and Japan find collaboration pathways to do so? Panda argues that Trump’s renewed “America First” realism, designed to reclaim leverage from both adversaries and allies, is inadvertently pushing Asia toward self-correction. Read this special volume from NIDS in Japan here.

Report of the Silk Cage-I Webinar on “From Corridors to Control: China’s Long Shadow in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region” — Report of the Silk Cage-I Webinar on “From Corridors to Control: China’s Long Shadow in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region”

This report is an outcome of the webinar, organized by the Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs (SCSA-IPA), which was held on February 17, 2026, as the first part of a series on the ‘Silk Cage’. This series seeks to address China’s expanding role in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It revolves around the central question: where does connectivity end and strategic control begin? This first webinar of the ‘Silk Cage Series’ situates South Asia and the Indian Ocean within China’s evolving strategic architecture. Read and download the webinar report here.

Taiwan in the Hidden War: The Contest for Technological Sovereignty Against Infiltration — Taiwan in the Hidden War: The Contest for Technological Sovereignty Against Infiltration

This special volume, edited by Yi-Chieh Chen and Niklas Swanström, presents a comprehensive examination of Taiwan’s approach to technology security challenges across multiple sectors and policy domains. The contributors in this volume, drawn from academic institutions and government agencies, offer diverse perspectives on the challenges Taiwan faces and the strategies it has developed to address them. The volume is structured to provide both sectoral analysis and cross-cutting themes that illuminate the broader patterns of Taiwan’s technology security challenges. The contributors have sought to present a balanced assessment that acknowledges both the successes and limitations of Taiwan’s approach while identifying areas where further development may be necessary. Read and download this special volume here.

Changing Geometries: The Rise of a Middle-Power Tech Triangle — Changing Geometries: The Rise of a Middle-Power Tech Triangle

This issue brief by Jagannath Panda and Tristan Eng analyzes the significance of the Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership as a middle power. They argue that the ACITI’s importance lies in its function as a risk-diversification platform, allowing participating states to expand cooperation and resilience while maintaining ties with major powers. However, the partnership’s broad agenda risks diluting its impact unless members prioritize concrete initiatives and align them with existing regional frameworks. ACITI therefore serves as a test case for whether flexible middle-power coalitions can deliver practical outcomes in an increasingly fragmented global order, write Panda and Eng. Read and download this issue brief here.

What I heard in Munich: ‘We Europeans need a plan’ — What I heard in Munich: ‘We Europeans need a plan’

Anna Wieslander writes about her experience of attending the 2026 Munich Security Conference (MSC). She writes that it was a stunning moment at the MSC this past weekend, when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer entered the stage side by side to launch the “Global Europe” initiative. Designed for Europe to navigate with confidence and capabilities in an increasingly multipolar world, the initiative contained ground-breaking, action-oriented proposals along four pillars: innovation, energy security, military capabilities, and societal resilience. She further writes that gone was the mutual grouchiness of the Brexit years—the leaders of the so-called “E3” now appeared laser-focused on bridging difficulties to build joint strength, thereby inspiring others to follow. Read the full piece here.

China’s PLA and Europe’s Supply Chain Trap: Navigating U.S. Pressure and China’s Influence — China’s PLA and Europe’s Supply Chain Trap: Navigating U.S. Pressure and China’s Influence

Niklas Swanström writes that while the PLA does not maintain a direct military presence in Europe, its influence permeates through cyber capabilities, strategic investments, technology acquisition strategies, and supply chain dependencies. The emergence of a more aggressive and transactional U.S. approach toward China (and Europe), characterized by comprehensive decoupling efforts, technology restrictions, and demands for allied conformity, places the EU in an increasingly difficult position, writes Swanström. In this brief, he outlines the PLA’s evolving role, its impact on European security and industrial resilience, the complications arising from divergent transatlantic approaches, and policy recommendations for the EU to safeguard its strategic autonomy while managing relations with both great powers. Read and download the policy brief here.

Events »

17 Mar

Research and Innovation Series (RIS) – Part IV: Cybersecurity and Digital Resilience: What Europe can Learn from Estonia
31 Mar

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

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

Publications »

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

Niklas Swanström

China’s Anti-Corruption Campaign in the PLA

India-Sweden Strategic Compass; A Bi-Monthly Newsletter: January-February 2026.

Sevil Khikmatova, Anne Weiler and Jagannath Panda

A New Realism at the Indo-Pacific’s Edge: India, ASEAN, and the Perils of Transactional Power in a Post-Trump Order

Jagannath Panda

Taiwan in the Hidden War: The Contest for Technological Sovereignty Against Infiltration

Yi-Chieh Chen, Niklas Swanström and Federica Bagna

Changing Geometries: The Rise of a Middle-Power Tech Triangle

Jagannath Panda and Tristan Eng

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.