The Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) addresses the implications of Asia's rise for the United States and Europe through research and commentary, conferences, study tours to Asia, publications, and collaborations with other GMF programs. Covering an expansive area — from the Hindu Kush to the Pacific — the program has region-wide projects as well as specific initiatives related to China, India, Japan, Pakistan, and Korea.

The Program's initiatives include the Stockholm China Forum and India Forum, the Global Swing States project, the Young Strategists Forum, and the Embassies' Dialogue on Asia. GMF also manages seminars and other activities in Japan, transatlantic dialogues on Pakistan, a Japanese fellowship program, Asia-related panels at GMF's flagship event Brussels Forum, and publications on American and European approaches to the Asia-Pacific and on deepening cooperation between democratic Asia and the West. 

GMF's partners on Asia-related research and programming include the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, the Tokyo Foundation, and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. For more information, contact Program Associate Amy Studdart in Brussels or Program Coordinator Javid Ahmad in Washington DC.

Initiatives

Stockholm China Forum

Since 2006, the Stockholm China Forum, led by Transatlantic Fellow Andrew Small and Program Associate Amy Studdart, has been the premier transatlantic policy dialogue on China, bringing together policymakers, intellectuals, journalists, and businesspeople from Europe, the United States, and Asia for an ongoing and systematic dialogue to assess the impact of China's rise and its implications for European and U.S. foreign, economic, and security policy. Read more...

India Forum

India Forum, led by Senior Fellow Daniel Twining and Program Officer Dhruva Jaishankar, is the only regular conversation between European, American, and Indian policymakers, intellectuals, journalists, and business representatives. The forum, which began in 2010, is held twice a year to establish networks across diverse communities and sectors and facilitate cooperation and coordination through informal discussion. Read more...

Global Swing States

Led by Transatlantic Fellow Daniel Kliman and Richard Fontaine of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), this joint project between GMF and CNAS focuses on whether four rising democratic powers -- Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Turkey -- will bolster the prevailing international order. The project's final report will include recommendations for how the United States and Europe can more effectively engage rising democratic powers with the long-term aim of strengthening the rules-based global order.

Trilateral Forum Tokyo

GMF and the Tokyo Foundation partnered to establish Trilateral Forum Tokyo in 2012, motivated by a rapidly changing international system and the common challenges comfronted by the United States, Europe, and Japan. It will address crosscutting issues such as the crisis of democratic governance, global financial instability, security dynamics, energy sustainability, innovation and competitiveness, and disaster relief.

Young Strategists Forum

The Young Strategists Forum - which involves seminars, simulations, and study tours - is motivated by the belief that in age of constrained resources and mounting international challenges, the United States, Europe, and other likeminded nations must develop a new generation of strategic thinkers.  The project is led by Daniel M. Kliman with Non-Resident Senior Fellow Aaron Friedberg serving as faculty. For more information on this initiative, please contact Program Coordinator Javid Ahmad.

Embassies' Dialogue on Asia

The Embassies' Dialogue on Asia, coordinated by  Daniel M. Kliman, was launched by the German Marshall Fund in the fall of 2011. It brings together young American experts on Asia, diplomats from Asia-Pacific embassies, and European diplomats in Washington to create a unique venue for informal discussions on issues of mutual interest. Topics covered at the Dialogue have included China's energy acquisitions, the Arab Spring, and Australia's role in the Asia-Pacific. For more information, contact Asia Program Coordinator Javid Ahmad.

Program Publications

Democratic Asia Papers

The Democratic Asia Paper Series provide an in-depth focus on issues related to governance, human rights and challenges to democracy across Asia, and examine policy implications for the United States and Europe. 

Asia Policy Briefs

The Asia Policy briefs provide short, periodic commentary on topical issues pertaining to the rise of Asia for non-specialists.

'On Pakistan' Policy Briefs

Pakistan, a critical ally of the United States and NATO, faces immense challenges at home due to mounting terrorist violence, growing radicalism, a weak economy, and political instability. ‘On Pakistan’ is an ongoing series that analyzes developments in Pakistani politics and foreign policy for followers on both sides of the Atlantic.