Pacific Partners Initiative

Leadership

The Pacific Partners Initiative is led by Gregory Poling, Senior Fellow and Director of the Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, Christopher B. Johnstone, Senior Adviser and Japan Chair, and Dr. Charles Edel, Australia Chair and Senior Adviser.

Focus

The Pacific Partners Initiative is the first Washington-based policy & think tank forum dedicated to providing a sustained high-level focus on Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island countries.  The Initiative encompasses dedicated programs, research-based studies and publications, active online outreach, and a trilateral “track 2” dialogue driven by CSIS and leading think tanks in Australia and New Zealand.

The Pacific Partners Initiative was launched in July 2011 and reflects CSIS’ focus on the strategic importance of Asia to the United States.  President Obama’s strategic pivot to Asia and his November 2011 announcement of his plans rotate U.S. forces through Darwin, Australia, reflect the increasing importance of the Pacific region.  The Initiative is the first Washington-based resource of this nature, and is a valuable tool in both examining and strengthening the growing relationships between the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island countries.  For more information, please view the "CSIS Creates New Policy Platform Dedicated to New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands: The Pacific Partners Initiative" press release.

Get Engaged

Follow important policy developments in New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands;  participate in Pacific Partners Initiative and Studies by joining our mailing list or engaging in a thoughtful policy dialogue on Asia and the Pacific at the CSIS New Perspectives on Asia blog.