Dr. Arbenita Sopaj is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Indo-Pacific Studies Center (IPSC). She is an affiliated scholar at the Research Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs, Kobe, Japan; a board member of the Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan (GPAJ), and Director of Administration at the Academic Council of the United Nations, Tokyo. Her recent publications include “Implications of the US Election for Japan’s Role in the Indo-Pacific Region,’’ Institute for Security and Development Policy (July 13, 2024), and “Hiroshima G7 Summit: A pivotal moment for Japan’s diplomacy,” Japan Today (March 18, 2023). Her areas of academic interest include US-East Asia, US-Japan, US-Balkans, and US-Kosovo relations pertaining to diplomacy and security.

James C. Thompson, Jr. is a distinguished U.S. Marine Corps Officer and senior advisor at the U.S. Department of State, where he contributes strategic guidance on Indo-Pacific political-military affairs. With over two decades of leadership experience across defense, diplomacy, and academia—including roles at the White House and as a Presidential Helicopter Pilot—he brings unmatched expertise in international relations and national security. James holds advanced degrees in international relations and is a PhD candidate in public policy. He also teaches homeland security policy and is committed to fostering regional stability and strategic foresight in the Indo-Pacific.

The views expressed are the author’s own, and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.

Brandon Tran is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Indo-Pacific Studies Center and a student at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He is an International Affairs and Chinese double major. He has worked extensively on issues relating to China and Indo-Pacific security studies with various US government entities and think-tanks. He has also published several articles in The Diplomat, Air University’s Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, and the Irregular Warfare Initiative. He hopes to commission as a military intelligence officer.

The views expressed are the author’s own, and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.

Meg Hansen is a geopolitical and governance strategist with regional expertise in the United States, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific. She was the 2023–24 Senior Fellow in the Budapest Fellowship Program at the Danube Institute and previously served as president of a State Policy Network–affiliated think tank in Vermont. Her research and practice focus on architectures of power – specifically the symbolic and structural forces that animate sociopolitical imaginaries. She regularly writes for U.S. and international publications, including The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and The American Spectator. Originally trained in clinical medicine (M.B.B.S.), she holds an M.A. in American studies from Dartmouth College and a Master's in material culture and global business from the Polimoda Institute of Design (Italy).

Dr Khoo Ying Hooi is Associate Professor of International Relations and Human Rights at Universiti Malaya, and Editor-in-Chief of the Malaysian Journal of International Relations. A leading scholar of civil society, democratic transitions, and human rights in Southeast Asia, her research spans Malaysia, Timor-Leste, and the broader Indo-Pacific. She has authored and edited numerous books, including The Bersih Movement and Democratisation in Malaysia and Marginalisation and Human Rights in Southeast Asia. Dr Khoo serves on multiple editorial boards and advisory councils and has consulted for AICHR, SHAPE-SEA, and the Timor-Leste government’s Centro Nacional Chega

Dr Apila Sangtam is currently teaching at DR. B.R. Ambedkar University as a guest faculty, School of Global Affairs. She is also a Kautilya Fellow 2025 in India Foundation, New Delhi. She has previously served as an “Associate Fellow” and Head of the “ASEAN and South-East Asia” Cluster of the NMF over the two-plus-years. Sangtam’s research has been focused upon the manner in which the policies and geostrategies of ASEAN and its member States impact (and are likely to impact) India’s own maritime policies and geostrategies across the Indo-Pacific. Her Research Interests include: Maritime Security, South China Sea, India-US and Southeast Asia Relations, QUAD partnership, Indo-Pacific Defence Partnerships.

Mi So Keum is a Research Officer at the Mission of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN. Her career spans government and defense roles, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Ministry of National Defense, and the ICT department of a higher education institution. Having resided in Asia, America, Europe, and Africa, she brings diverse perspectives to global affairs. She holds an MA in International Affairs from King’s College London and was awarded the institution’s Associateship. She holds a BA in Management and a BA in International & Area Studies from Handong Global University.

Michael’s research centers on international security studies, with high-tech policy, Sino-U.S. relations, and Cross-Strait relations being the focal points. While pursuing his master's at Tsinghua University, he concurrently serves as a Young Ambassador at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (Carnegie China) and an International Relations Technical-Governance Researcher at the World Institute of Politics, Economics and Technology. Having lived in both China and the U.S. for a dozen years, he has cultivated a profound interest in and understanding of the power dynamics of our century. Michael is a Master's student (in transition to a PhD degree) in International Relations at Tsinghua University.

Seira Duncan is an Indigenous Eurasian researcher interested in the climate-health nexus. She was selected as a Young Leader on the Global Leadership Challenge programme, an initiative of the University of Oxford and the St. Gallen Symposium, in 2023. She was also an Indigenous Youth Lead at the inaugural Global Indigenous Youth Summit on Climate Change (2023) hosted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. At IPSC she will primarily contribute to the development of the Environmental Policy Lab.

Ivy Ganadillo is a Ph.D. candidate in International Relations at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea. Her research focuses on maritime security, ocean governance, environmental peacebuilding, and international environmental law in maritime Southeast Asia, particularly concerning the Philippines and the South China Sea. With over 15 years of experience as a research analyst, academic lecturer, and program manager, she has held positions at institutions such as the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies, the Philippine Navy, Pacific Forum International, and the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Additionally, she has participated in advanced training on maritime governance and the law of the sea through programs like the Blue Security Program, the Yeosu Academy, and the International Ocean Institute. Ivy holds a master's degree in Asian Studies (China specialization) and a bachelor's degree in Political Science (International Relations) from the Philippines.

Martín Novella is a defense economist and independent researcher specializing in global defense industries, acquisition policies and defense-industrial strategies. Previously, he served as National Director of Defense Industrial Policy at Argentina’s Ministry of Defense, as Head of Operations Planning at the Military Manufacturing SOE, and at several positions at the antitrust authority. He contributes as external researcher for the Rabdan Institute for Security and Defense Studies (RSDI), and has lectured at the National Defense University (UNDEF), among other institutions. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Buenos Aires and a MSc in Political Economy from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences.

Dr. Manoj Babu B is formerly Assistant Professor of International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education [MAHE], Manipal. Prior to joining MAHE, he was an Associate Fellow at the NMF [National Maritime Foundation]. Manoj has spent time as researcher and faculty in Australia, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Saint-Denis, La Reunion. He holds Ph.D. in Politics and International Relations, Pondicherry Central University. He has participated in the Ministry of Education [MoE] sponsored Scheme for Academic Research and Collaboration (SPARC) with University of Lausanne, Switzerland and University of Paris 13, France. He is a recipient of Indian Council for Social Science Research, International Travel Grant and G20 Research Fellowship. His research interests include International Relations of the EU, Maritime Geostrategies of Indo-Pacific—India-EU and India-France. His research has appeared in edited books, national and international Scopus Journals, peer reviewed and refereed Journals, such as Foreign Policy Centre, European Academic Research, strategic analysis, ISDP, the Diplomatist etc. He has also edited volumes on India and the New World: Through the Eyes of Young Scholars and India’s Interest in a Changing World: Renewed Interests and Leading Diplomacy.

Dr Iqra Jathol is a research assistant at Centre for South Asian Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore Pakistan, also a visiting faculty at Institute of Social and cultural studies /Criminology and department of physics at University of the Punjab, Lahore. She is also Non- resident scholar at Indo-Pacific studies Centre. With an academic background in International Relations (especially study of Afghanistan, Taliban, US, China and India) and Geopolitics, She has developed expertise in maritime security, Afghanistan, regional diplomacy, India Pakistan relations, Security, Human Rights, Terrorism, regional security and great power competition within the Indo-Pacific framework.

Sheewon Min is an incoming DPhil candidate in International Relations at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on how middle powers respond to the U.S.-China strategic rivalry, particularly through multilateral political and economic frameworks. She has conducted research at several think tanks, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Korea Economic Institute (KEI), Pacific Forum, and East Asia Institute (EAI). She holds an M.A. in Asian Studies from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a B.A. in Asian Studies from Yonsei University.

Ian Katusiime is a Ugandan journalist, researcher, governance consultant, and foreign policy analyst. He is the author of Foreign Policy by Troop Deployment, a paper on how Uganda conducts its foreign policy in the East, Central and Horn of Africa regions that was published by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. He has also written a paper assessing the viability of the troop drawdown in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) published by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Regional Programme Security Dialogue for East Africa. He has contributed a chapter to Monstrous Anger of the Guns, a book sponsored by the UK-based Peace and Justice Project. Ian is a consultant with the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London where he works on executive briefings for diplomats posted to the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa regions. In 2022, he did a migration fellowship with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Uganda under their Youth for Policy Program, focusing on the role of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in its refugee response in Uganda. In November 2022, he spoke at the 12th IREN Thought Leaders Forum in Nairobi, Kenya on the impact of ongoing global conflicts on Africa’s strategic interests. Ian is the Founding Editor of Leo Africa Review and a Senior Reporter at The Independent, where he covers politics, security and foreign affairs.

Ipshita Bhattacharya, PhD, (History and International Relations, interdisciplinary) Assistant Professor currently affiliated to Faculty of Humanities, in Bhopal School of Social Sciences (a NAAC accredited College) India. She has academic experience of more than eight years in the leading colleges/universities in the country. Her area of research interest lies in South Asian History and Politics, International Security Studies, particularly asymmetric warfare focusing on Europe and Asia She has more than thirty academic research publications in her domain which include research papers and chapters in leading international journals and books. Her two Monographs India China Relations: Strategic or Tactical (White Falcon Publisher) and India and US Relations: The Patchy Road (Marine Corps University USA) are scheduled to be published in 2025. Ipshita has deliberated as a resource person in several National Conferences, Seminars, and Workshops like Chulalongkorn University Thailand, Colorado Boulder University USA and Dublin City University, Ireland. Apart from participating in various international conferences she has organized several National Conferences/Workshops/Seminars/Training Program etc. in her specialized domain.

Talha Latief Tantray is a PhD scholar in the School of National Security Studies at the Central University of Jammu, India. His research focuses on Indo-Pacific geopolitics, India’s maritime strategy, and foreign policy. He has published in leading journals and contributed to edited volumes on strategic affairs, maritime security, and regional dynamics. His academic work bridges theory and policy, emphasizing maritime governance, regional security, and grassroots resilience. His current research areas include port politics and India’s evolving engagement with the Indo-Pacific.

Ian Murphy currently works as a China subject matter expert at SecuriFense, where he helps organizations understand developments in China’s economy and foreign policy. He is a PhD student in international studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Seokje Hyun is a Navy Lieutenant (R) of the Republic of Korea Navy. Lieutenant Hyun served in various units, including the ROK Fleet, the ROK Navy HQ, and one overseas tour providing interpreting services for flag officers and coordinating between the ROK Navy and the US Navy. He has been decorated with the ROK Defence Minister Citation and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Citation. Lieutenant Hyun holds a BA in Molecular Biotech from Konkuk University, South Korea and is pursuing a career in Higher Education.

SeungHwan (Shane) Kim is currently a researcher based in Washington, DC, at the Korea Foundation and a research fellow at the Johns Hopkins Vanguard Think Tank. His previous experiences include roles at the East-West Center, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, the Korea Economic Institute, the Korea Studies Institute, and the ROK National Assembly. His works were published in numerous publications, including the Diplomat, the National Interest, the East Asia Forum, the Asia Times, the Pacific Forum, and more. He holds an M.A. from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a B.A. from the University of Southern California.

Rameez Raja is an Assistant Professor of Political Science, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Geeta University, Panipat, Haryana, India. He holds a Ph. D. in Political Science from the Department of Political Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. He has published research articles in leading journals indexed in Web of Science and Scopus. His book India’s Nuclear Policy Since 1998: Perspectives and Challenges is an interesting read. His areas of research interest include International Relations, Global Politics, Strategic Studies, Nuclear Policies, Minority & Human Rights, & Religious-based Politics.

Sakshi is an author, geopolitical researcher, and public speaker. Her professional journey spans impactful roles in research, policy development, and international relations across diverse organizations like the National Maritime Foundation and YOUNGO. Her peace and climate change articles are published in the Bharata First Newsletter of Frank Rausan Pereira, the Usanas Foundation, and The Diplomat. Her policy recommendations are listed in Global Youth statements and recognised by ministries. Recently, she was interviewed at Al-Qahera NewsTV–Cairo News Channel on economic offerings, green bonds, and environmental jobs. She works under the Human Rights Working Group and is an organizing team member of the UNFCCC COP28 and SB58 of the UN Climate Change Secretariat Side Event.

Genevieve Donnellon-May is a geopolitical and global strategy advisor interested in regional resource conflict and environmental governance in Asia. Currently, she is the Asia-Pacific analyst at The Red Line and a researcher at the Oxford Global Society. Genevieve is a 2023 CSIS Pacific Young Leader, a 2023 Yenching Global Symposium participant, and has been listed on the 2023 Young Women to Watch International Affairs by Young Australians in International Affairs.

Dr. Divya Anand is currently working an Associate Dean (UG Program) and an Assistant Professor at IILM, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor at the Amity University, Noida. She has 5+ years of teaching and research experience. She has completed her M.Phil. and PhD from School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Her core area of teaching and research are South Asian affairs, Indian Foreign Policy, Security, Terrorism/Counterterrorism, and developments in the Indo-Pacific region. She is a keen researcher and has contributed research papers and articles published in journals of national and international repute.

Pratik Purswani is a Lecturer at Jindal Global Law School (Sonipat, India). He completed his LL.B. from Symbiosis Law School (Pune) and LL.M. from Leiden University (the Netherlands). His primary area of interest is public international law, with research focusing on international environmental law, climate change law, and human rights law.

Santram is from the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and is an experienced policy analyst with a passion for carbon dioxide removals. He is skilled in policy development and environmental advocacy with thorough knowledge of the Paris Agreement, the global methane pledge, and UNCLOS.

Maximilian is a PhD student at SciencesPo Paris. His interests lie in maritime security, networked security, and alliances in the Indo-Pacific, as well as the EU’s foreign policy in the region.

Alex is from the University of Nairobi and assists farmers and organizations in adopting digital technologies. He works on transforming farming strategies through the use of technology and data, and evangelizes how people, processes, and technology can improve food security.

Vivek Mishra is a fellow with ORF’s Strategic Studies Programme. His research interests include America in the Indian Ocean, the Indo-Pacific, and Asia-Pacific regions, with a particular focus on the US role in South Asian security, Indo-US defence relations, and the Indian defence sector.

Rogelio Leal is a Research Fellow in the School of Social Sciences and Government, Department of Political Science and International Relations at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico. He holds a joint PhD in Political Science & China Studies from King’s College London and the National University of Singapore. His research interests include Confucianism, Chinese political thought, ethical governance, global affairs, statecraft, security, and public and economic diplomacy.

Kelly Arévalo is a Professor in government and international relations, with an emphasis on political studies and international organizations. She holds a Master's in Management for Development from the Externado de Colombia University. Kelly has experience in market research, academic program coordination, and higher education, with a focus on Asian studies—particularly India and South Asia.

Xian Hong is a Master's graduate of International Relations and National Security at Curtin University. He worked with the Maritime Security Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and interned as a Research Analyst with Future Directions International in Perth, WA. He recently completed a project with Blue Security Australia on current maritime governance in ASEAN.

Milan is an independent scholar and activist working in the fields of human rights, international relations, and development cooperation. Currently, he is an MPhil/PhD student. He has taught these subjects in the past and has served in the field for the past 23 years.

Neelmani Verma is an independent human rights law consultant and a member of the International Criminal Court Bar Association.

Cherry is a non-resident Vasey Fellowship at Pacific Forum Hawaii, USA, where their research focuses on Sino-American Maritime Governance Models and their implications for the Pacific Islands. They are also a NASC Fellow at Takshashila Institution, India, studying China's discourse power under Xi Jinping through political cartoons.

Kester is an aspiring foreign policy analyst and a recent Global Affairs and Policy graduate from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. He works as a research intern for the ‘UK in the World’ programme at Chatham House, covering key foreign policy challenges facing the UK with a focus on the Indo-Pacific. He is also a nonresident James A. Kelly Korea Fellow at the Pacific Forum.

Abhishek Sharma is a Research Associate at the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), pursuing his Ph.D. from the Department of East Asian Studies at Delhi University. He is also a non-resident Kelly fellow at Pacific Forum and a NASC fellow at Takshashila Institution. His research focuses on the intersection of geopolitics and critical emerging technologies, particularly cyber strategy, cyber capabilities, and critical minerals in the Indo-Pacific region.