Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific

Long-standing alliances and partnerships with Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands are an essential component of U.S. national security. CSIS fosters policy discussions on the future of the U.S.-Australia alliance, as well as deepening economic and technological exchange with Australia, advancing AUKUS, elevating cooperation with New Zealand, and bolstering U.S. engagement in the Pacific Islands amid rising strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.

Photo: IHERPHOTO/Adobe Stock

Photo: IHERPHOTO/Adobe Stock

The Race for Malaysia’s Rare Earths: An Indo-Pacific Strategy

Malaysia has emerged as a key player in rare earth supply chain diversification, expanding refining and processing capacity outside China. Its rise reflects decades of international cooperation, but future progress will require navigating its close ties with China.

Report by Meredith Schwartz — October 20, 2026

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Gregory B. Poling

Gregory B. Poling

Director and Senior Fellow, Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
Photo: CSIS

Kathryn Paik

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Australia Chair
Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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How Is Security Influence Evolving Across the Pacific?

How is Security Influence Shifting Across the Pacific? examines the changing security environment in the Pacific and introduces the interactive tool, Security Influence in the Pacific: Who's Competing—and Where?

Event — October 20, 2026

The Race for Malaysia’s Rare Earths: An Indo-Pacific Strategy

Malaysia has emerged as a key player in rare earth supply chain diversification, expanding refining and processing capacity outside China. Its rise reflects decades of international cooperation, but future progress will require navigating its close ties with China.

Report by Meredith Schwartz — October 20, 2026

The Pacific Security Puzzle

Fierce competition for strategic influence has prompted a proliferation of security-related agreements across the Pacific Islands region in recent years. A new interactive tool from the Australia Chair maps 56 of these arrangements across 14 Pacific countries.

Commentary by Angelina Bruno and John Augé — October 20, 2026

From Partners to Producers: U.S.-Australia Defense Cooperation

On this episode of All About the Base, Dr. Jerry McGinn speaks with Ms. Belinda Templeman, Australia’s Minister-Counsellor for Defence Materiel, about the growing integration of the U.S. and Australian defense industrial bases, from AUKUS and critical minerals to co-production, supply chains, and building greater allied industrial resilience.

Event — October 5, 2026

Using AI to Fight World Hunger: Averting Crises

What if we could see future hunger sooner? AI-assisted food security early warning systems help experts analyze more data more quickly to anticipate threats sooner, and they equip decisionmakers with the insights to help mitigate harm and save lives.

Digital Feature by Zane Swanson, Emma Curtis, Joely Virzi, and Caitlin Welsh — September 17, 2026

Using AI to Fight World Hunger: Crop Optimization

What if we could design crops to overcome environmental and biological threats, while producing more food? AI is helping researchers speed up timelines for crop research, and uncovering new possibilities to strengthen crops against future threats.

Digital Feature by Zane Swanson, Emma Curtis, Joely Virzi, and Caitlin Welsh — September 17, 2026

Using AI to Fight World Hunger: Guided Agriculture

What if farmers could access tailored guidance on demand, and use tools that read and respond to on-farm needs more accurately? AI is helping to deliver vital information to farmers who need it most, and powering equipment that helps close input and labor gaps.

Digital Feature by Zane Swanson, Emma Curtis, Joely Virzi, and Caitlin Welsh — September 17, 2026