I am honoured to be appointed Executive Director of IISS-Asia. Together with a phenomenal team in Singapore, and
@IISS_org
colleagues around the world, I look forward to building on the IISS’ reputation for excellence in independent research and our unparalleled convening power.
We are delighted to announce that
@VeerleNouwens
has been appointed Executive Director of IISS–Asia, where she will play a key part in organising the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue and provide intellectual direction for our Asia-Pacific research
Dutch news reporting that the Dutch MFA has confirmed the apparent existence of two illegal Chinese police stations in NL - one in Rotterdam and one in Amsterdam - that have been in operation since 2018.
Excited to share my piece on China’s private maritime security companies and the future role they could play in protecting the Maritime Silk Road. Thanks
@WarOnTheRocks
! // Who Guards the ‘Maritime Silk Road’?
@WarOnTheRocks
“When I was foreign minister, I was very careful in not saying China is a threat ... but as defense minister, I must say China has become a security threat to Japan”.
🚨personal news!
I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining
@IISS_org
and working together with phenomenal colleagues and bright minds.
It’s also a privilege to be returning to the region & Singapore specifically to lead research on the Indo-Pacific at such a critical time.
1/4
Delighted to announce that
@VeerleNouwens
will join
@IISS_org
Asia in Singapore next month as Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow, and also as head of our Indo-Pacific Defence and Strategy Research programme.
Welcome, Veerle! 👍 More on the programme
👇
I'm delighted that with the generous support of the Government of Japan, the IISS-Asia will create a new position of IISS Senior Fellow for Nuclear Arms Control, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament at our office here in Singapore.
We are pleased to announce that the IISS has been awarded a generous endowment from the Government of Japan to strengthen its research on global nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and arms-control issues | Full details:
A few quick take-aways / key points from NL’s recently-released vision document on the Indo-Pac (IP). More analysis to follow soon in a proper article. (1/11)
🚨We're hiring! 🚨 Come join the team at IISS-Asia here in Singapore as a Senior Fellow for Nuclear Arms Control, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament.
Deadline 16 April 2024. More details👇
In this trailer for our new podcast series 'Bridging the Oceans',
@VeerleNouwens
explores some of the key questions she'll be asking in the flagship podcast of the Navigating the Indo-Pacific programme of
@ISS_RUSI
.
Listen now🎧:
The outpouring of grief is testament to the legacy of fmr PM Abe: a profound impact on global geopolitics by seeking a more peaceful and prosperous world, a now globally understood importance of the Indo-Pacific, and so much more. Thoughts & prayers to his family and to Japan.
Veerle Nouwens (
@veerlenouwens
), Senior Research Fellow, Royal United Services Institute, United Kingdom will be speaking at
#Raisina2021
.
Register ➡
EU outlining shape of its forthcoming Indo-Pacific Vision. A few observations: 1) geography spans from East Africa to western Pacific; 2) Japan and India clear partners - but latter relationship requires significant advancement; 3) it’s as much about working WITH partners(1/2)
In addition to nuclear power plants, “Ms Truss also names cyber security, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and 5G technology as areas that involvement of Chinese companies should be treated with caution.” Says UK should work w trusted partners.
Excited to publish my Whitehall Report ‘Transatlantic Approach to China in the Global Commons’, in which I look at the maritime domain and outer space. Mixed bag of US-European interests that don’t always perfectly align, despite shared concerns abt China.
Significant moment for the UK as it formally opens its diplomatic mission to ASEAN. Looking forward to closely following the evolution of UK defence and security policy to the region.
The UK applies to become a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, as it is no longer part of the EU’s Dialogue Partnership. ASEAN, however, still has a moratorium on new Dialogue Partners. Will be interesting to see how this progresses.
Ben Wallace on balance between Europe and IndoPac - “it’s not either/other”. On deploying naval assets to the IndoPac - when the UK comes to the region it looks forward to cooperating with partners and fiends including those in Europe.
So excited to see Meia presenting her work on the same day as PM Lee Hsien Long, former Pres Bill Clinton, former PM Kevin Rudd, and other speakers in this stellar line up! Link and time stamp for her presentation on the China Connects Map below!
Could China's growing global digitalisation footprint lead to a split of the digital world into competing technology blocs and disrupt data flows?
@MeiaNouwens
maps China's Digital Silk Road for
@neweconforum
#OurNewEconomy
WATCH FROM 1:46:12
'The UK will be left vulnerable without a new government strategy on emerging technologies'. I was pleased to support this
@UKParliament
@CommonsSTC
inquiry. The 5G debate has brought the wider risks from US/China and global tech divergence into focus.
Had a blast hosting the incredible
@le2huong
and
@EvanLaksmana
to discuss ASEAN, the Indo-Pacific, what the US election result means for Southeast Asia, and what lies ahead for UK-ASEAN relations. Tune in via link below!
And to everyone worried about telling
@MeiaNouwens
and me apart, at least you’ll now have a 100% chance of correctly identifying our affiliation!
We’ve actually made it easier for you 😉
4/4
“This is neither the soft power of free expression nor the hard power of military force.
Instead it is the sharp power of intrusive influence, including through the strategic granting then apparent withholding of political funds.”
Beijing has espoused the
#BRI
as a project to increase connectivity and infrastructure. Western concerns have focused on China’s intentions and the potential for debt-trap diplomacy.
Read the assessment by
@MeiaNouwens
➡
It has finally happened - got quoted together with
@MeiaNouwens
in an article. Just waiting to be on the same panel one of these days 😊. BBC News - America dominates the thriving global weapons trade
It was an absolute pleasure hosting this episode with
@darshanabaruah
and
@d_jaishankar
to talk about how India views the Indo-Pacific, where its policy priorities lie thematically and geographically, and how it can work with partners - including the UK - towards shared goals.
A little late in plugging this but really enjoyed this
@RUSI_org
podcast hosted by the brilliant
@VeerleNouwens
. In this episode,
@d_jaishankar
& I discuss India, Indo-Pacific & the Indian Ocean.
Couldn’t wish for a better guest than
@BDHerzinger
for the first podcast of the year. Listen via link below for a very timely discussion on the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States and what to expect of a Biden Admin. Thanks for the incisive discussion, Blake!
Full house today
@RUSI_org
to listen to Ms. Frances Adamson, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, speaking on Australia’s vision for the Indo-Pacific.
@AusHouseLondon
@ISS_RUSI
Thrilled to have
@AnnaPowles
on this week to discuss security in the South Pacific and help shine a light on important regional complexities and local perspectives that are vital to understanding this part of the world. Tune in below! 👇
#BridgingTheOceans
As the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue draws to a close, IISS Director-General
@chipmanj
provides an overview of a busy three days of high-level debate at Asia’s premier defence summit, which took place in Singapore on 2–4 June |
#SLD23
Always a pleasure to be on a panel with
@abhijit227
and excellent moderating by
@AadityaDave90
who posed some tough questions. A great way to spend a Friday afternoon!
@ISS_RUSI
Register now for our webinar in an hour with
@VeerleNouwens
and
@abhijit227
that will discuss how key non-traditional maritime security challenges shape the security and strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific.
As part of our Indo-Pacific Programme commentary series, Senior Associate Fellow Andrew Cainey explores the geopolitics of trade in the Indo-Pacific.
@AndrewCainey
@ISS_RUSI
Had a fascinating discussion with
@kenmoriyasu
about Japan’s new Defence White Paper, regional security, and the importance of domestic public opinion in Japan. A real pleasure to have you on, Ken! Tune in below 👇
Interesting note in article: “Germany is portraying the naval voyage as aimed at strengthening cooperation with Asian democracies rather than as a military operation requiring parliamentary deliberations.”
As part of its Indo-Pac strategy, Germany to deploy a frigate "as early as this summer", will make port calls in Japan, Australia, and ROK.
Govt source quoted says "We want to deepen ties with our partners in the democratic camp"
Couldn’t be more proud to work at
@RUSI_org
- just awarded
@prospect_uk
Think Tank of the Year. What a year 2020 has been, but together with phenomenal colleagues we rose to the challenge and I’m thrilled that all our hard work has been recognised. Well done team!
Great time to read up on my recent piece co-authored with
@GarimaMo
in which we argue that now is the time for Europe to roll out a coordinated approach to the Indo-Pacific. (1/2)
The European Commission will spend the next nine months coming up with a list of “high impact and visible projects” to rival the Belt and Road initiative.
But first, it needs a brand name and a logo, according to draft documents.
@POLITICOEurope
From 🇨🇳 to ASEAN & trade to security challenges -
@davidcapie
and I discuss the evolution in Wellington’s thinking on the Indo-Pacific and its current policy priorities. Thanks for an illuminating episode, David!
Looking forward to seeing the EU’s China policy continue to evolve (and likely not in the direction Beijing wants it to), should Von Der Leyen get the top job: “The guideline we have for Russia must also apply to China.”
Delighted to welcome
@EvanLaksmana
as a new Senior Fellow in our growing
@IISS_org
team in Singapore.
Evan is one of the sharpest researchers and thinkers out there on defence & security in Southeast Asia & the wider Indo-Pacific.
Looking fwd to having you join us Evan! 👍
As discussed in this week’s
#BridgingtheOceans
podcast, in which
@kenmoriyasu
explains the significance of the 2021 white paper cover art and the changing thinking about Taiwan in Japan’s national security.
@ISS_RUSI
Surprise
@LowyInstitute
reunion in Brussels with
@TiffanyMa2
thanks to
@gmfus
(with
@MeiaNouwens
elsewhere in the city). Seems like yesterday that we were bright-eyed interns working with
@Rory_Medcalf
in Sydney. In actual fact that was 2007! Time sure does fly...
In our latest research, my colleague Emily Ferris and I explore Sino–Russian interests in Serbia and whether they are competitive, coordinated or complementary across the country’s political, defence & economic spheres.
@RUSI_org
@ISS_RUSI
Discussed implications of 🇨🇳 sanctions with MERICS today 🇩🇪 has taken an unequivocal stance on these sanctions. MERICS has our full support for their impartial work as a leading Think Tank on China!
@merics_eu
@Der_BDI
@DIHK_News
Excellent piece by my colleague
@EvanLaksmana
as we near
#SLD23
: “No country in the region has overhauled the organisational, doctrinal and operational outlooks of its armed forces with the goal of deterring and fighting a war against China.”
#IPDS
@IISS_org
“… arms spending and stronger defence ties with the US have led analysts to argue that South-east Asia is slowly but surely balancing against China. This view, however, is incomplete at best.”
My take:
Join us on 18 March at RUSI for a timely discussion on Australia and the UK in the Indo-Pacific with Professor Rory Medcalf and Dr. Neil Melvin. Sign up in link!
@Rory_Medcalf
@Eurasia21cntry
@ISS_RUSI
.
Although COVID-19-related disruptions and challenges will continue to test China’s armed forces, the PLA is likely to escape lasting damage and China’s modernisation and recapitalisation goals will remain in place, explains
@MeiaNouwens
|
Excellent! This was a key recommendation in our 2019
@RUSI_org
and
@CarnegieIndia
UK-India Maritime Dialogue held in New Delhi with support from
@UKinIndia
. For other recommendations in
@AadityaDave90
’s report on prospects for bilat cooperation ➡️
General Nick Carter, UK Chief of Defence Staff, says in a
@IISS_org
webinar that with India, the UK is "hoping to develop a close maritime relationship, focused on the Western Indian Ocean".
General Li Shang Fu commences his plenary address to
#SLD23
. Notes the region faces security challenges - need to ask who is the cause of that and should stand on the right side of history.
NL will attend imp annual forums in the region, incl Shangri-Dialogue (cc:
@MeiaNouwens
) and Raisina Dialogue. NL will also participate in France and Germany’s ‘Alliance for Multilateralism’. (11/11)
It was an honour and a privilege to testify on Europe-China relations, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific at the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission yesterday. Thank you to the entire team at
@USCC_GOV
for their hard work in setting up this important and timely hearing.
Great, can we now also report on every male ambassador’s style upon his appointment? Feel free to also leave out headline mentions of his professional accomplishments and qualifications.
Dame Karen Pierce confirmed as new British ambassador to Washington.
She's got some serious style... Travelling with a portable step so she can disembark helicopters in stilettos. Plus that boa at the UN!
A humbling experience to speak on such an incredible panel about all things related to the growth and development of the Indo-Pacific region. Many thanks to
@orfonline
and
@BiissInfo
for organising such a fantastic inaugural
#DhakaGlobalDialogue
.
Fantastic speaking with
@LisaCurtisDC
about the new US Indo-Pacific Strategy, as well as whether the war in Ukraine impacts Indo-Pacific security and geopolitical dynamics. Tune in 👇
🎙️A new episode of
#BridgingtheOceans
is out now!
In the latest episode, host
@VeerleNouwens
is joined by
@LisaCurtisDC
and they discuss President Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
Click below to listen to the full episode on our website now!
Learned a lot from Prof. Kim on how South Korea - a country that is seen by many as an important partner in the Indo-Pacific - views the Indo-Pacific concept and the strategies that abound. Listen below👇
1/3| NEW
#BridgingTheOceans
episode out now! Prof Heung-Kyu Kim &
@VeerleNouwens
discuss South Korea's view on the
#IndoPacific
, examining where the concept fits within South Korea's foreign policy outlook.
Listen:
Thinking about how the UK and Australia can deepen their strategic partnership - including in the Indo-Pacific?
@Rory_Medcalf
and I have some ideas.
@ISS_RUSI
@NSC_ANU
Link 👇
💡 NEW POLICY OPTIONS PAPER 💡
@Rory_Medcalf
and
@RUSI_org
's
@VeerleNouwens
identify practical ways to deepen the Australia-United Kingdom strategic partnership in meeting the challenges of a contested
#IndoPacific
. Read it here:
Fantastic speaking with
@brianhioe
on China’s political, economic and military measures against 🇹🇼 over Pelosi’s visit. How is this perceived in Taiwan by the government and public alike? What impact could it have on upcoming local elections and Taiwanese politics? Tune in ⬇️
🎙️A new episode of
#BridgingtheOceans
is out now!
Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan provoked a strong reaction from China. Host
@VeerleNouwens
speaks with activist
@brianhioe
about the Taiwanese reaction to Nancy Pelosi’s visit, and China’s subsequent live-fire military drills.
Out now!
@ISS_RUSI
@ChathamHouse
paper exploring the enabling and inhibiting factors of transatlantic cooperation on economic and security issues in the Indo-Pacific! We outline the priorities, partners and platforms for European and US engagement. (1/8)
The 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue will get underway on 2–4 June 2023. Here’s a taster of what promises to be a busy three days of high-level debate on the Asia-Pacific's most pressing security challenges
#SLD23
| See the outline agenda:
Curious to know how and where they decide to hold such a ceremony, given that China hasn’t provided coordinates for the nine dashes or the ‘line’ that they supposedly create.
In PLA Navy culture, the nine-dash is a boundary between home and abroad. Every time a Chinese warship crosses it heading overseas, sailors formally say farewell to the motherland. Crossing it on the way back, they celebrate their return to the nation’s embrace.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say I’m doubtful this will be a Chinese overseas base. The idea of an extended city hub here is not new. Think this is a bit of a case of alarmism given land reclamation, tho good to remain clear eyed.
China grips Sri Lanka with artificial island off Colombo - Watch this. Step one of true overseas base in the Indian Ocean with special legal status. Remember in Djibouti the PLA’s status of forces agreement is all but an open affair. This is mk2.
Had a blast recording the last
#BridgingTheOceans
episode of 2020 featuring
@GarimaMo
and
@fgrare
to discuss France and Germany’s respective Indo-Pacific strategies as part of a growing European - and perhaps EU - orientation to this part of the world. Tune in 👇
I may have left the UK, but the UK’s never too far away in the Indo-Pacific. Looking forward to Secretary of State Ben Wallace’s intervention on Saturday morning!
We are delighted to welcome the UK’s
@BWallaceMP
to this year’s IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. He will speak on Sat 3 June at 09:30 SGT
#SLD23
| See the full speaker agenda:
Many thanks for having me along
@CHAsiaPacific
@CleoPaskal
for what was an excellent workshop on an important topic. And for the opportunity to share a quick thought right after!
Thrilled to speak at CHACR’s annual conference today on Chinese defense (panel 4). Twin power on full force:
@VeerleNouwens
also speaking, but on Panel 2 - big & middle power competition!
@CHACR_Camberley
#GAPConf21
(thanks for the invite
@Ziya_Meral
!)
🌏 Like interactive maps? China Connects maps China’s Digital Silk Road globally. A phenomenal resource for anyone interested in China’s digital and tech activity abroad. Bravo
@MeiaNouwens
! Link below 👇
The Digital Silk Road dataset spans 14 categories across the tech stack: from submarine cables to satellites, e-commerce to e-governance, and data centres to smart cities, surveillance technologies, e-health projects and more.
Explore the platform:
NATO to upgrade rels w AP4 via Individually Tailored Partnership Program (ITPP) road maps, explore coop on cybersec, space & fighting disinformation. Liaison office in Tokyo reportedly floated as liaison office for ITTP implementation in bid to sway FR.
Fascinating and important piece - highly recommend to anyone interested in Africa, the Indo-Pacific, and maritime security. “Without AU leadership, the continent risks being swept up and away in tides of geopolitical competition and the actions of navies in African waters.”
Sign up now for our next online event - with Gwendoline Vamos (Senior Officer, Asia-Pacific, Global Partnerships, NATO),
Veerle Nouwens (Senior Research Fellow, International Security, RUSI) & Garima Mohan (Fellow, Asia Programme, German Marshall Fund)
No time to read the Integrated Review Refresh?
@EdArnold_RUSI
and I have got you covered on European Security, U.K.’s China policy and the Indo-Pacific Tilt, as well as defence policy questions that still need answering. Read it here ⬇️
In the latest
#RUSICommentary
on the Integrated Review Refresh
@VeerleNouwens
and
@EdArnold_RUSI
find that 'The refresh provides a welcome comprehensive summary of UK foreign policy, but starves allies of the crucial detail of the UKs defence policy.'
China’s drive to enhance its domestic defence industry is borne out by the strong performances of its state-owned enterprises over the past year.
@FMcGerty
and
@MeiaNouwens
examine how Chinese companies measure up against their global competitors.
No single country can match or replace China, but that isn’t - and shouldn’t be - the point. It’s about offering alternatives that emphasize quality and raising the bar. This is a good start and more should follow.
If you’re looking for an expert on the strategic use of islands in the Indian Ocean Region,
@darshanabaruah
is your woman! Read her some of her fantastic work in the thread below!
[Thread] Islands and Indian Ocean security: I notice an increase in opinion pieces and analysis advocating for use of strategic islands in the ongoing US, India, Australia (among others) competition with China. (1/15)
A whirlwind discussion on Australia’s approach to the Indo-Pacific with the ever impressive
@Rory_Medcalf
. Tune in for thoughts on China, Russia, principles vs values, the importance of partnerships, how Europe can engage in the Indo-Pacific, and more. Link below 👇
Key partners for EU/NL in IP: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and India. NL specifically seeks closer coop w these countries + Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. (7/11)
SecDef: our one-China policy is constant and firm. Conflict is neither imminent nor inevitable. Deterrence is strong today and it’s our job to keep it that way.
This was a fantastic discussion featuring the excellent
@darshanabaruah
and
@BDHerzinger
on whether, how, and where a US First Fleet could be positioned and operate in the Indo-Pac + various views from across the region.👏
In yesterday’s Jakarta Post. Great discussion and always lovely to be back in town! Looking forward to keeping this important discussion going given all that the UK and ASEAN have to offer to one another and the wider region.
Great speaking with
@tetsuo_kotani
to get a sense of whether and how Ukraine is impacting Japanese thinking on Russia sanctions, defence and security, as well as Japan’s view on the (at the time upcoming) NATO Summit. Tune in ⬇️
It feels like just yesterday that I was finishing this paper with
@benjaminbland
and working with excellent colleagues at
@CHAsiaPacific
and
@RUSI_org
on our transatlantic dialogue project. Thanks to
@shetlerjones
for picking up the baton and bringing this over the line!
As US & Europe try to deepen their cooperation on China and the Indo-Pacific, how are these efforts viewed by key partners in the region?
@VeerleNouwens
@shetlerjones
and I try to explain the diverse regional responses in new
@ChathamHouse
@RUSI_org
paper
So proud of
@MeiaNouwens
for her incredible work on this project - having seen exactly how much time and effort she dedicated to this over the lockdown period and beyond. Tune in for her presentation - agenda and livestream links below!
And
@MeiaNouwens
's presentation from 8:35 PM EST on China's expanding digital footprint under the Belt & Road Initiative. Excited to see
@IISS_org
geo-economics team's presence at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum for the first time!
#China
#DigitalSilkRoad
It was a real privilege to join
@JoyceAnelay
and
@LordsIRCom
today to speak on the security of the Indo-Pacific and U.K. I am grateful for the opportunity (and to be on an all-women expert panel!) and only wish we had more time!
Watch live as we hear from Dr
@LynnKuok
, senior fellow
@IISS_org
, and
@VeerleNouwens
, senior research fellow
@RUSI_org
, on the main security issues and flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific region.
📺
📅Our first hearing is next week!
The Commission will host experts to review China's military diplomacy, overseas military activities, and China’s foreign military sales and acquisition of foreign military equipment and technology.
Don’t love my mid-sentence stills, but I do love talking about maritime security approaches at national and regional levels - an important topic that we will continue to look at as of our
@ISS_RUSI
Indo-Pacific Programme.
Interesting development for foreign policy wonks: I'm told ASEAN nations have agreed to hold an annual summit with Australia. At the moment ASEAN–Australia meetings are only held every second year. Now we join the ranks of Japan, China, South Korea, the US and India.
🚨 Paid opportunity🚨 - The Indo-Pacific Programme is looking for 3 Japanese speakers (native/advanced level) to help with data collection. The contract for services will be for 6-weeks (part-time) and the data collection can be done remotely! Please DM if interested!