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The role of the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia: Implications for Maritime Security and European interests
Niklas Swanström writes about the significance of the People's Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM) for Europe's maritime interests. He argues that despite the multifaceted capabilities on paper, the training and order structure of the PAFMM is problematic, as military training and guidance remains inadequate despite continuous political instructions and sentiment. More importantly, the ambiguity in their legal status poses potential dangers and raises concerns about their current and future operations, especially as the PAFMM should be held to the same standards as the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and China Coast Guard (CCG), and not operate under different regulations, writes Swanström. He further writes that when looking at the bigger picture, China’s refusal to recognize Maritime borders established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) complicates the situation further as it undermines international maritime laws and norms. As such, an un-regulated auxiliary force has negative implications of Chinas fishing operations and their militarization has increased impact on not only global maritime security, but also economic stability. This policy paper by Niklas Swanström explores the multifaceted role of China’s fishing fleet, particularly the PAFMM, and its implications for international security. Read the paper here.
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Navigating the Indo-Pacific: How Australia and the EU Can Partner for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity
This policy brief by Jagannath Panda and Richard Ghiasy argue that to navigate the choppy waters of the Indo-Pacific, the EU and Australia must be on the same wavelength regarding shared interests in rules, values, and an open and liberal economic order. Headwinds are plenty as the underpinnings of peace and stability are currently frail in an era of Indo-Pacific (re-)ordering. Proactive minilaterals and the agency of middle powers such as Australia provide tailwinds. Besides dealing with a more assertive China, Panda and Ghiasy identifies five key areas of convergence between the EU and Australia, and they are: 1) Rejuvenating the multilateral trading system, which currently prioritizes security over efficiency and is suffering from a partially defunct WTO, 2) Providing developmental assistance in critical infrastructure and digital transformation via Global Gateway, 3) Coalescing support for climate action, particularly in the vulnerable Pacific Islands, 4) Exploring ways to increase the geopolitical resilience of ASEAN, a critical actor, and 5) Enhancing maritime security in the region. The EU and Australia must rely on each other’s strengths to expand their roles as security enablers across the Indo-Pacific. Read and download this policy brief here.
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Eco-Economic Balancing Act: The EU’s Approach to the China EV Trade Dispute
The European Commission unveiled in June the long-expected preliminary results from the ongoing anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturers. Applicable from July 5, 2024, a new provisional tariff regime will apply to EV imports until November, when the EU Council at the latest must-have voted to either make the tariffs permanent or lift them, pending the results from the 13-month probe. However, reactions to the Commission’s initial findings have varied widely within the EU, and it also remains disputed how the tariffs will impact EU competitiveness and trade relations with China. This issue brief by Johannes Nordin elucidates the origins of the EV probe, the challenges facing the EU’s auto sector, initial tariff impacts and strategic goals, and the nascent political reactions to the probe. Read the brief here.
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Report of the Webinar on China’s Himalayan Hustle – Part IV: EU, India, and US – Framing a Troika to Scuttle China’s Himalayan Strategy?
This report is an outcome of ‘China’s Himalayan Hustle-IV’ webinar on “EU, India, and US – Framing a Troika to Scuttle China’s Himalayan Strategy?” held on August 16, 2024. This fourth webinar in series on China's Himalayan Hustle aimed to visualize the possibilities and potential for the EU, India, and the US to work together to highlight China’s revisionist actions in the Himalayan region, beyond the India-China border scuffles or the potential for limited war. It looked into the following questions: What are the ways through which the Chinese activities in the Himalayan states could be highlighted in the European Parliament and the US Congress? In what ways can NATO be engaged to counter China’s military muscle in the Tibetan Plateau, without aggravating the regional balance? Should there be a cooperative dialogue between India and NATO on the same? What are the chances of the EU acknowledging / recognizing China’s Himalayan hustle as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy? What is the level of awareness in the European Parliament about China’s Himalayan revisionism? What tactics can India, the EU, and the US together employ to undo China’s clout in the Himalayas? How can the US and the EU contribute to checking Chinese infrastructure activities and taking action against their negative environmental impact on the region? Download this report here.
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New Security Design on the Korean Peninsula or just a Rotation of the Guard?
In-bum Chun writes on the recent changes in South Korea's security administration. He writes that the changes have understandably generated significant interest and speculation both domestically and internationally. While the timing and specific reasoning behind these personnel shifts may not be entirely evident, the overall structure and policy trajectory of the South Korean national security apparatus appear to be maintaining a degree of continuity, with a potential emphasis on defense and security matters under the new leadership. As the Yoon administration’s security team takes shape, it will be crucial for them to demonstrate their capacity to address the multifaceted challenges facing the Korean peninsula. Their ability to balance military preparedness with diplomatic engagement, manage complex regional relationships, and work closely with international partners will be key factors in safeguarding South Korea’s national interests and ensuring the security and well-being of its citizens in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, writes In-bum Chun. Read the piece here.
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Indo-Pacific as a Strategic Imperative for the EU: Whither Australia?
As one of the major stakeholders in this strategic region with longstanding ties centered around predominantly economic and, therefore, security interests, the European Union (EU) could—and should—become more central to fostering order in the Indo-Pacific, arguably more than it realizes. At the same time, while the EU is absent in most of the region’s economic and security institutions, the EU’s image as a non-confrontational and inclusive bloc shapes its perception as a potential balancing major power, thereby increasing its value. Yet, the EU was and is considered an “extra-regional” actor with “limited” impact—a notion that still holds fast in certain strategic circles. Is the EU falling short in thought, action, or capability in the region? This policy brief by Jagannath Panda and Richard Ghiasy elucidates the critical rationale behind the need for a heightened EU focus on the Indo-Pacific, identifies possible overlooked strategic bearings, underscores the region’s multidimensional nature beyond the SCS, and outlines how Australian interests converge with EU priorities. Additionally, it offers calls to action to enhance EU awareness of and engagement in the Indo-Pacific and expand cooperation with Australia. Read the policy brief here.
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Russia-DPRK Partnership: Implications for the West
This issue brief by Riccardo Villa and Mats Engman examines the evolving relationship between the DPRK and Russia, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Authors argue that the partnership has deepened, with North Korea supporting Russia diplomatically and receiving military and economic aid in return. This alliance, formalized during Putin’s 2024 visit to Pyongyang, has significant implications for regional stability and global geopolitics, including for Europe. The DPRK-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership encompasses military, economic, and technological cooperation, challenging U.S.-ROK alliance strategies and potentially intensifying regional arms races and provocations. The DPRK’s selective engagement strategy underscores its prioritization of relationships that bolster its security and economic interests amidst global tensions, write Villa and Engman. Read this brief here.
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Taiwan and International Organizations – Between Security, Cooperation and Identity
What are the prospects of Taiwan's participation in international organizations in times to come? Agust Börjesson and Yi-Chieh Chen bring out a special paper to argue that although claims from the ROC to represent all of China in the international system have faded over the years, the PRC has steadily maintained a claim of sovereignty over Taiwan. On June 21, 2024, the PRC issued new legal guidelines to amend its 2005 Anti-Secession Law. The guidelines targeted what Beijing views as separatist forces in Taiwan that advocate for the island’s independence. However, they also effectively criminalized any advocacy for Taiwan to join international organizations that are limited to sovereign countries. As the PRC considers unification with Taiwan inevitable, it views Taiwan’s participation in international organizations as an avenue for separating the two, write Agust Börjesson and Yi-Chieh Chen. Read this special paper from ISDP's Taiwan Center here.
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The role of the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia: Implications for Maritime Security and European interests
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Navigating the Indo-Pacific: How Australia and the EU Can Partner for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity
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Eco-Economic Balancing Act: The EU’s Approach to the China EV Trade Dispute
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Report of the Webinar on China’s Himalayan Hustle – Part IV: EU, India, and US – Framing a Troika to Scuttle China’s Himalayan Strategy?
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New Security Design on the Korean Peninsula or just a Rotation of the Guard?
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Indo-Pacific as a Strategic Imperative for the EU: Whither Australia?
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Russia-DPRK Partnership: Implications for the West
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Taiwan and International Organizations – Between Security, Cooperation and Identity
Latest Publications
The role of the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia: Implications for Maritime Security and European interests
With one of the largest fishing industries in the world, China boast around 564,000 vessels accounting for roughly 15 percent of the global fish supply. Despite a significant reduction from […]
Navigating the Indo-Pacific: How Australia and the EU Can Partner for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity
To navigate the choppy waters of the Indo-Pacific, the EU and Australia must be on the same wavelength regarding shared interests in rules, values, and an open and liberal economic […]
Indo-Pacific as a Strategic Imperative for the EU: Whither Australia?
No global actor can afford to fall short in contributing to a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific—this particularly applies to a somewhat distracted European Union (EU). The EU should become […]
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Books
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Quad Plus and Indo-Pacific: The Changing Profile of International Relations
This book explores how the Quad Plus mechanism is set to reshape the global multilateral economic and security co-operations between Quad partner countries and the rest of the world. With […]
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Obeständigt – Kontraster i japansk kultur
In Japanese culture, contrasts have always been a key factor. This culture has fascinated the outside world for hundreds, if not thousands of years. But Japan is a country largely […]
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Towards a Sustainable Arctic: International Security, Climate Change and Green Shipping
The Arctic’s environment, economics, and politics are changing rapidly, and the conflicting interests among stakeholders mean that it lacks sustainable political and military cooperation. States bordering the Arctic — Russia, […]
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Diogenes Issue on Global Ethics
“A Global Ethic has a fundamental role to play not only in defining basic values but also in reaching transcultural consensus about the meaning of key notions such as ‘well-being’ […]
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India-Japan-ASEAN Triangularity: Emergence of a Possible Indo-Pacific Axis?
This book focuses on the scope, potential and future of the India-Japan-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) trilateral. Through this book, contributors examine the strategic and global partnership between India […]