Pivotal Places Research • Stimson Center

Pivotal Places

Projects

38 North

Cultivating informed public policy debate about North Korea

China and the Middle East

Unpacking Beijing’s strategic, economic, political, and security interactions with the critical region

China’s Role in Conflict Mediation

Deepening understanding of China’s participation in international conflict mediation and its impact

Chinese Foreign Policy

Deepening understanding of China’s foreign policy behaviors and their motivations and impact

Crises & Consequences in Southern Asia

Reducing nuclear dangers and fostering strategic stability on the subcontinent

Geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific

In-depth analysis of evolving grand strategies, competitive behaviors, and strategic alignments in the Indo-Pacific

Iran-Saudi Dialogue

Building trust through dialogue on specific areas of shared concern

Iraq and Its Neighbors

Exploring concrete avenues of cooperation and coordination between Iraq and its immediate neighborhood

Japan Visiting Fellowship

A unique opportunity for Japanese security experts to conduct policy research in Washington, D.C.

Japanese Foreign Policy

Creative approaches to Japan’s most significant international security and foreign policy challenges

Mekong Basin Connect

We act to conserve the mighty Mekong’s ecosystem through system-scale planning methods and promoting the renewable energy revolution in mainland Southeast Asia.

Mekong Dam Monitor

An open-source online platform for near-real time monitoring of dams and environmental impacts in the Mekong Basin

Mekong Infrastructure Tracker

Resources for understanding the dynamic economic, social, environmental, and political impact of development in the Mekong region

Mekong Policy Project

Addressing the regional environmental and social impacts along the Mekong River to improve food security, stability and cross-country relations.

Mekong-US Partnership Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue

A series of six track 1.5 conferences focusing on strengthening the Mekong-U.S. Partnership (2021-2023)

Middle East Perspectives

A forum for discussion of the most pressing issues facing the Middle East and U.S. policymakers

Myanmar

Furthering research on the country’s civil-military relations, ethnic reconciliation, and geopolitical dilemmas

Nuclearization Debates: Lesson for South Korea

Examining critical issues regarding nuclear dynamics and security challenges facing the Korean Peninsula, drawing from South Asia’s experiences.

Peace and Regional Connectivity with Afghanistan

Supporting a just peace and economic prosperity in Afghanistan and Greater Central Asia

South Asia Fellowships

Professional Development Opportunities with the South Asia Program

South Asian Politics and Security

Analysis of emerging domestic political, institutional economic, and socio-cultural dynamics and consequences for regional relations and security behaviors.

South Asian Voices

A platform for strategic analysis featuring emerging scholars and practitioners from across Southern Asia

Southeast Asia Forum

Promoting the study of Southeast Asia at colleges, universities, and research institutions.

Strategic Learning

Comprehensive courses on strategic dynamics with a focus on Southern Asia

Taiwan and Cross-Strait Relations

Policy solutions and in-depth analysis of the complex relationship between mainland China and Taiwan

The US-China Military-to-Military Dialogue

Increasing military-to-military understanding between the United States and China.

US-Japan Alliance

Improving U.S. and Japanese policymakers’ understanding of shared security and political challenges as both countries face new regional dynamics

War Legacies Working Group

A working group that forms partnerships throughout the United States and Southeast Asia to address issues related to unexploded ordnance, Agent Orange, and mine clearance in the broad theater of the Vietnam War.

Recent Publications

Report

Mekong-US Partnership Track 1.5 Policy Dialogue on Fisheries, Agriculture, and Food Security Summary Report

This conference summary report highlights opportunities for collaboration through the Mekong-U.S. Partnership related to fisheries, agriculture, and food security

Courtney Weatherby • Brian Eyler

Policy Memo

Mitigating Japan’s Nuclear Dilemma

Japan is forced to grapple with a “nuclear dilemma” rooted in its historical trauma and contemporary security challenges

Nobumasa Akiyama

Commentary

Who Will Be Iran’s Next Leader? Not Khamenei’s Son

Regarding succession, Ebrahim Raisi or Alireza Arafi are more likely to succeed Ali Khamenei than his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Shahir Shahidsaless

Commentary

An Acute Power Imbalance Helped Doom the Iran Nuclear Deal

With the U.S. and its partners at odds, U.S. economic and political power allowed it to stand alone against the international community

Rosaleen Carroll

Commentary

Russia Benefits from Continued but Calibrated Iran-Israel Hostilities

Higher levels of insecurity in the Middle East reinforce Russia’s message that the United States is an ineffective guarantor of stability in the region

Giorgio Cafiero

Policy Paper

Opportunities for Singapore to Drive ASEAN’s Green Transition

Singapore can create economic growth through ASEAN's green transition by supporting technical capacity building and investment in neighboring countries

Courtney Weatherby