event

The Future of American Predominance in the Western Pacific

Wed. May 13th, 2015
Washington, DC

China’s emergence as a major power in the increasingly vital Asia-Pacific region presents a major, long-term strategic challenge to the United States and its allies. Beijing’s growing military, economic, and political influence across the region, along with its avowed preference for a multi-polar security environment free from conventional alliances, call into question the future of the U.S.-led, post-WWII regional order centered on American maritime predominance and allied support. 

How is Beijing challenging this order, and to what extent? How should Washington and its allies respond? Michael D. Swaine and Ashley J. Tellis have recently presented very different assessments—Swaine argues for a transition to a stable balance of power, while Tellis calls for an enhanced effort to sustain U.S. predominance. Carnegie hosted a lively discussion of this vital issue. The University of Pennsylvania’s Avery Goldstein moderated. 

Michael D. Swaine

Michael D. Swaine is a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and one of the most prominent American analysts in Chinese security studies.

Ashley J. Tellis

Ashley J. Tellis is a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace specializing in international security, defense, and Asian strategic issues.

Avery Goldstein

Avery Goldstein is the David M. Knott professor of Global Politics and International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on international relations, security studies, and Chinese politics. 

SecurityMilitaryNorth AmericaUnited StatesEast AsiaChina
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
event speakers

Michael D. Swaine

Senior Fellow, Asia Program

Swaine was a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and one of the most prominent American analysts in Chinese security studies.

Ashley J. Tellis

Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs

Ashley J. Tellis is the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, specializing in international security and U.S. foreign and defense policy with a special focus on Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

Avery Goldstein

Avery Goldstein is the David M. Knott professor of Global Politics and International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on international relations, security studies, and Chinese politics.