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Report of the Climate Crisis in Tibet–Part V: Population Politics of Tibet: What Does It Mean to Social and Environmental Conditions? — Report of the Climate Crisis in Tibet–Part V: Population Politics of Tibet: What Does It Mean to Social and Environmental Conditions?

This webinar, organized by the Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs (SCSA-IPA) at the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP), was held on September 4, 2025, as the fifth in a series on the ‘Climate Crisis in Tibet’. This series seeks to address China’s long-term strategy for Tibet and its implications for social and environmental conditions. In this webinar, discussants examined Beijing’s comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach aimed at fully integrating Tibet into the Chinese nation-state, marked by intensified urbanization, displacement, and assimilation policies. Experts in this webinar addressed a few critical questions: What are the main goals behind China’s population and urbanization policies in Tibet, and how do they reflect broader state interests in national integration and territorial control? How have infrastructure developments facilitated demographic shifts in Tibet, and what are the social and cultural consequences of increased Han migration into the region? To what extent can the relocation of Tibetan villagers and the erosion of nomadic pastoral lifestyles be seen as forced assimilation rather than development or modernization? Read the webinar report here.

Whither Tibet in the Climate Crisis Agenda? — Whither Tibet in the Climate Crisis Agenda?

The Tibetan Plateau is undergoing one of the most dramatic and least scrutinized ecological transformations in the world today. It is warming at more than twice the global average: glaciers are retreating, permafrost is thawing, grasslands are degrading, and the rhythms of water flow that support life across much of Asia are being disrupted. These are not abstract shifts—they are crisis conditions. This Stockholm paper emerges from a growing recognition that Tibet lies at the nexus of some of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change, environmental justice, Indigenous rights, regional security, and the politics of development. It draws on a wide range of scholarly, policy, and civil society perspectives to provide a consolidated set of recommendations across 10 thematic areas— from transboundary water governance to climate accountability and rights-based environmental protection. At its core is a call for greater international engagement in ensuring that the Tibetan Plateau is not rendered invisible in global climate discourse. Read and download this Stockholm paper here.

Why the Republic of Korea Matters to the Nordic Countries — Why the Republic of Korea Matters to the Nordic Countries

The global situation is increasingly insecure, with, among others, an unpredictable U.S. isolating itself from traditional allies, a Sino-American geopolitical struggle that threatens to destabilize international affairs. Both the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Nordic states are in this scenario, striving to reestablish collaboration with the U.S while also diversifying their relations to mitigate dangers to their national security by boosting cooperation with like-minded allies. This Asia paper by Niklas Swanström, Josephine Ørgaard Rasmussen, and Jeenou Yi aims to highlight some current areas of cooperation with the intent of emphasizing the importance and compatibility of Nordic-ROK cooperation, which has remained relatively covert, as well as projecting the attractiveness of enterprises and government officials in the nations to foster more collaboration in areas of immediate synergies. We identify current synergies between the ROK and the Nordic countries in renewable energy, Arctic investments, technology, and defense cooperation. This Asia paper does not seek to offer a comprehensive list of cooperation, but rather to highlight impact and feasible areas of collaboration that can be launched in the near future. Download and read this Asia paper by Niklas Swanström, Josephine Ørgaard Rasmussen, and Jeenou Yi here.

Made in China 2025: From Assembly Lines to Innovation Frontiers — Made in China 2025: From Assembly Lines to Innovation Frontiers

Nistha Kumari Singh & Amrita Jash write on China's flagship initiative, 'Made in China 2025'. They argue that a decade after its launch in 2015, this flagship initiative of the Chinese government has fundamentally reshaped and transformed China’s industrial landscape, positioning digitalization, networking, and intelligentization at the center of its economic rise. The ultimate goal is to reduce China’s dependence on foreign technology while promoting Chinese high-tech manufacturers in the global marketplace. Beyond closing the technological gaps with Western powers, MIC reflects Beijing’s ambition to assert leadership in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), write Singh and Jash. This raises a more nuanced debate: Is China, through MIC, reshaping the global rules of industrial and technological competition, and what systematic challenges or opportunities does this present for domestic stakeholders and international competitors? Read this piece here.

The Hidden Fiscal Dividend of Stablecoins — The Hidden Fiscal Dividend of Stablecoins

Monique Taylor writes that the recently enacted GENIUS Act of the United States appears, at first glance, to be a piece of consumer-protection legislation, designed to bring order to a once-unregulated corner of digital finance. However, its significance runs deeper. By tying stablecoin issuance to Treasury securities, Washington has effectively hardwired a rapidly growing segment of digital finance into the very foundations of U.S. fiscal power, argues Taylor. She further writes that what began as a stopgap for volatile cryptocurrency markets has been transformed into a mechanism for recycling global liquidity into U.S. debt markets. Stablecoins, once dismissed as speculative assets or vehicles for illicit finance, now represent a hidden but potentially consequential fiscal dividend for the United States, writes Taylor.

NATO and Quad: a China threat vs. a cross-functional Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific cooperation — NATO and Quad: a China threat vs. a cross-functional Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific cooperation

This article by Jagannath Panda investigates the evolving security dynamics posed by China’s rise under Xi Jinping, with a focus on its implications for NATO and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). As China expands its influence through military modernization, economic initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and security frameworks such as the Global Development Initiative (GDI), it poses a multifaceted challenge to the liberal international order (LIO). This article examines how NATO and the Quad, representing Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific interests respectively, are adapting to these threats, particularly in light of China’s growing partnerships with authoritarian regimes like Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The article further explores whether these two security mechanisms, despite their distinct regional focuses and operational structures, can establish a cooperative relationship to counterbalance China’s global ambitions. Panda contends that while China’s rise and its authoritarian alliances represent significant threats, the feasibility of a coordinated NATO-Quad response remains uncertain, necessitating further strategic alignment to safeguard international stability. You can read and download this article written by Jagannath Panda at the Springer Nature Link, at the journal's website.

Publications »

Webinar Report-V: Climate Crisis in Tibet – Population Politics of Tibet: What Does It Mean to Social and Environmental Conditions?

Jarmila Ptáčková, Anton Harder, Kalpit A. Mankikar, Carole McGranahan, Tristan Eng, Anahita Poursafir, Ines Vassort and Jagannath Panda

Why the Republic of Korea Matters to the Nordic Countries

Niklas Swanström, Josephine Ørgaard Rasmussen and Jeenou Yi

Revitalizing Transatlantic Defense: Lessons from Central Europe’s Security Innovation

Political and Diplomatic Implications of South Korean Defense Cooperation with NATO: The Case of Sweden

Joel Petersson Ivre

NATO and Quad: a China threat vs. a cross-functional Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific cooperation

Jagannath Panda

ISDP Spotlight

The application period for our spring 2026 internships is now open! — The application period for our spring 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 spring 2026 internships: We are looking for interns for our China Center, Korea Center, Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs, and Taiwan Center. We are also looking for an intern to work with the Asia Program and Center for Research and Innovation Security more broadly. Application deadline: October 20, 2025.

Meet ISDP’s Fall 2025–26 Intern Cohort — Meet ISDP’s Fall 2025–26 Intern Cohort

Every semester, the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP) provides an internship opportunity open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates. Our current interns are reflecting on their first impressions of the institute and sharing what they’re most looking forward to as their internships progress.

ISDP’s Stockholm China Center held a roundtable discussion with the Huayang Center from China — ISDP’s Stockholm China Center held a roundtable discussion with the Huayang Center from China

Our China Center held a closed-door roundtable discussion with a delegation from the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance (Huayang Center), who were visiting research institutions and think-tanks across Europe. Titled “Prospects and Challenges of Sino-Nordic/European Relations in Changing Global Orders,” the discussion brought together experts from China and Sweden to assess pressing issues of mutual concern and explore viable paths forward.

The Stockholm Korea Center hosted young professionals for the Nordic-Korea Next Generation Training Program 2025 — The Stockholm Korea Center hosted young professionals for the Nordic-Korea Next Generation Training Program 2025

Last week, ISDP’s Korea Center had the pleasure of hosting four outstanding young professionals from the Nordic region for the Nordic-Korea Next Generation Training Program, which began with a three-day training session in Stockholm from September 3rd to 5th. The four participants, all of whom share a strong interest in Korea, were given lectures on a variety of contemporary topics pertaining to the Korean Peninsula by leading experts from around the world, including Korea.

New webinar series: Research and Innovation Series (RIS) — New webinar series: Research and Innovation Series (RIS)

This webinar series, organized by the Stockholm Center for Research and Innovation Security, aims to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas related to research and innovation, and to further increase the understanding of the many factors and policies that impact security developments. We invite scholars and experts from diverse fields and backgrounds to a conversation moderated by staff at the SCRIS.