NIDS Perspectives 4

The Indo-Pacific at a Crossroads: The Return of Inter-Bloc Rivalries, or the Rise of Competitive Pluralization?

Edited by ISHIHARA Yusuke
Published August 28, 2026 by the National Institute for Defense Studies
Related Topics: Pluralization, America First, Global South Diplomacy, Like-Mindedness, Middle Power, Hedge, Multi-alignment

How are the countries of the Indo-Pacific region pursuing their prosperity, security, and autonomy in the face of China’s immense power and historic transformation of the United States? Conversely, how are the strategies adopted by regional states shaping the behavior of these two great powers? From the Japan-U.S.-Australia-Philippines “Squad”, AUKUS, Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation, and BRICS to the strengthening of minilateral alignments, as well as hedging and strategic autonomy, this volume analyzes the interactions among Indo-Pacific countries and the latest regional developments through the lens of pluralization. Drawing on an opinion survey of 151 experts from Japan and the United States, specialists from Japan, the United States, China, Australia, South Korea, Southeast Asia (ASEAN), and India offer their perspectives on the future of “Indo-Pacific at a crossroads”.
The Indo-Pacific at a Crossroads: The Return of Inter-Bloc Rivalries, or the Rise of Competitive Pluralization? is published by Urban Connections Co., Ltd

Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction	The Competitive Pluralization in the Indo-Pacific: Its Structure and Future Scenarios Column A Receding U.S.- China Rivalry as a Conceptual Game Changer	ISHIHARA Yusuke
Chapter 1	The America First Conception of National Interest U.S. Self-Perception of Power and Foreign Policy in the Post-Unipolar World Column America First and Realism	MAEDA Yuji
Chapter 2	The Development of China’s Global South Diplomacy and Great Power Rivalry	YAMAGUCHI Shinji
Chapter 3	The Evolution of the Japan-U.S.-Australia-Philippines “Squad” Reconsidering the Concept of Like-Minded Partners	ISHIHARA Yusuke
Chapter 4	The Republic of Korea: Finding Its Footing in the Indo-Pacific	ISHIDA Tomonori
Chapter 5	Competitive Pluralization and Australia AUKUS and Economic Security	SATAKE Tomohiko
Chapter 6	The Pluralization and Diversification of Security Cooperation Variations of Hedging among Southeast Asian States	SHOJI Tomotaka
Chapter 7	India’s Multi-Alignment Choosing a Multipolar World or Partnering with Like-Minded Countries?	IZUYAMA Marie
Index
Editor and Contributors
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