Countering Asian and Asian American Discrimination as a Dimension of Foreign Policy

In March 2021, eight people were shot and killed at massage parlors in Georgia, six of whom were women of Asian descent. In 2020 alone, anti-AAPI attacks rose 150 percent in the United States. One of the tragic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the rise in anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) hate crimes. While anti-AAPI attacks have circulated in recent news stories, Asian American discrimination sadly has a long history in the U.S.

Discrimination is not only morally repugnant but is antithetical to U.S. values and global credibility as a moral leader. Our modern-day partners and allies have worked with the U.S. in part because of our government's commitment to our professed ideals and how we treat all people in American society.

CSIS is pleased to host this discussion during AAPI National Heritage Month. CSIS affiliates and career government officials will recall their own experiences as Asian Americans working in foreign policy. The event will explore strategies to address AAPI discrimination and discuss the stakes in U.S. foreign policy and international development.

Welcome

Nicole Breland Aandahl, Director, Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Program

Opening Remarks

Michael J. Green, Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair

Panelists

Jason Chung, Senior Adviser (Non-resident), Project on Prosperity and Development

Colonel Jenny McGee, Senior Advisor (Non-resident), Project on Prosperity and Development

Jessica Lee, Senior Research Fellow, Quincy Institute

Nilmini Rubin, Senior Associate (Non-resident), Project on Prosperity and Development

Moderated By

Masao Dahlgren, Research Assistant, Missile Defense Project

This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.