Trends releases a new study:«Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific: Major Flashpoints and Great Power Rivalry in 2024»

Trends Research and Advisory released a study in English entitled “Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific: Major Flashpoints and Great Power Rivalry in 2024.” The paper indicates that the region shall witness a level of escalation in geopolitical tensions in 2024, but it is possible that it can avoid open conflict if great powers follow responsible and prudent policies.

The paper was conducted by Professor Richard Javad Heydarian, an Asia-based Academic and Policy Adviser, who explained that the rising tension in this region is due to intense superpower competition between the United States and China. 

The study indicated that there are several hotspots in the Indo-Pacific region that could lead to escalation of tensions, including: territorial disputes over the South China Sea, where China demands broad sovereignty over the region, while several other countries, including the Philippines and the United States, oppose it.

Another conflict area is the competition for hegemony over Taiwan, as China seeks to annex the island by force, while the United States pledges to defend Taiwan. Furthermore, there is competition in the field of technology and innovation, where the United States seeks to maintain its supremacy in these areas, while China seeks to catch up.

The study warned that escalating geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region could lead to armed confrontations, which would destabilize the region and the entire world.

However, the study indicated that there is a significant appetite for establishing mutually beneficial guardrails between the United States and China, to prevent rising rivalry from turning into open conflict through institutional dialogue and beneficial cooperation. The study stressed the significance of constant efforts by by Indo-Pacific middle powers and smaller nations to help mediate between the two superpowers, the US and China.