WELCOME TO THE

RISING POWERS INITIATIVE

The Rising Powers Initiative is a multi-year, cross-national research effort that examines the role of domestic identities and foreign policy debates of aspiring powers in Asia. The Initiative is hosted by the Sigur Center for Asian Studies at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. The RPI brings together an internationally recognized team of scholars from both the United States and across the globe to analyze and compare the foreign policy thinking in today’s rising powers.

Click on the countries to the left to learn more about the Rising Powers Initiative’s work.

Asia Report- Examining Violence Against Women in India: Changes, Challenges, and Futures

At a panel convened at the Sigur Center for Asian Studies last month, discussants outlined the socio-cultural and economic factors perpetuating sexual violence in India and highlighted opportunities for moving forward on the issue. Their conversation is highlighted in this Asia Report.

Policy Brief- Russia as a Global Power: Contending Views from Russia

The collapse of the Soviet Union generated a wide range of contending views in Russia on the nation’s place in the world and its relationship with the West. We explore these views in our Policy Brief.

Visiting Scholar Yogesh Joshi: Navigating Pakistan’s Nuclear and Domestic Politics

Democracy or no democracy, one trend which continues to unnerve the international community is Pakistan’s nuclear program. RPI Visiting Scholar Yogesh Joshi explores the topic here.

Nuclear Debates in Asia Digest

How are China, Pakistan, India, and the United States reacting to China’s nuclear energy technology sales to Pakistan? Our Nuclear Debates in Asia Digest examines the nuances behind the Chashma Nuclear Power Complex deal.

Policy Brief: Japan’s Shifting Strategic Discourse

RPI author Dick Samuels argues in our latest Policy Brief that “finding the right distance between the U.S. and China is the most important strategic choice facing Japan today.” Read the Brief here.

Worldviews of Aspiring Powers Review, Meredith Oyen

Meredith Oyen recently reviewed the edited volume Worldviews of Aspiring Powers: Domestic Foreign Policy Debates in China, India, Iran, Japan, and Russia in H-Diplo. Read the full review here.

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Iranian Foreign Policy After the Election: Realists and Islamic Idealists Face Off

June 14, 2013

In today’s Foreign Affairs, RPI authors Farideh Farhi and Saideh Lotfian analyze Iranian foreign policy after the election using the schools of thought outlined in the RPI’s Worldviews of Aspiring Powers edited volume:
“As Iranians …
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Nuclear Recount: New Report on Asia’s Nuclear Stockpiles

June 11, 2013

Several nuclear armed countries in Asia have expanded their arsenal over the past year according to a new report. China, India, and Pakistan added 10 to 20 nuclear weapons to their stockpiles and made qualitative …
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Shinzo Abe’s Foreign Policy and Reactions from Asian Powers

May 30, 2013

Since taking office as Japan’s Prime Minister for the second time, Shinzo Abe’s foreign policy posture has been under close scrutiny. Most have been concerned about his proposal to revise the Japanese Constitution, and how …
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Watch China Looms as Main Concern in Obama and Abe Meeting on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

China Looms as Main Concern in Meeting between Obama, Japan’s Abe

When Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with President Obama, China’s economy and geopolitical concerns were the main topics of discussion. To examine the flare-up between Japan and China, Margaret Warner talks to RPI author Mike Mochizuki, author of “The New Strategic Triangle: The U.S.-Japan Alliance and the Rise of China.”