ISDP welcomes distinguished China expert Dr. Andrew Scobell

October 7, 2025: The Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Andrew Scobell as Distinguished Fellow and Principal Asia Analyst, effective October 2025.

Dr. Scobell joins ISDP from the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), where he served as a senior political scientist specializing in Asian security issues. He brings decades of expertise on the People’s Liberation Army, China’s foreign and security policy, and cross-strait relations between China and Taiwan.

“Andrew’s arrival significantly strengthens ISDP’s Asia program,” says Niklas Swanström, ISDP’s Executive Director. “His deep understanding of Chinese military affairs and regional security dynamics will be invaluable as we expand our analysis of Indo-Pacific developments.”

“At this time of tremendous geopolitical churn and global uncertainty, meticulous research, cogent analysis, and well-conceived cooperation between like-minded states and organizations have never been more essential. ISDP is perfectly positioned to assume a greater leading role in the effort to provide authoritative insights, actionable recommendations, and enhance cooperation between Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and North America. Very excited to join an organization I have long admired and regularly engaged with over the past two decades,” says Andrew Scobell.

Dr. Scobell’s research focuses on Chinese defense and national security policy, civil-military relations, and Taiwan security issues. His extensive publications and policy expertise make him one of the foremost Western analysts of Chinese military and strategic affairs. In his role at ISDP, Dr. Scobell will lead research initiatives on Asian security, contribute to policy analysis, and strengthen ISDP’s engagement with partners across the Indo-Pacific region.