George Washington University, Sigur Center for Asian Studies

Created in 1821 through an Act of Congress, the George Washington University is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. This project informs U.S. policy and the rebalance to Asia—President Obama’s policy emphasizing the U.S. role in Asia—by improving currently limited understanding of the domestic dynamics between energy and military interests. Through analytic research, interviews and workshops, the project addresses the crucial question of whether leaders of Asian states have used the discourse on energy security as a justification for stronger naval forces, and examines five cases—China, India, Japan, Philippines and Vietnam. The study also investigates the prospects of international cooperation regarding maritime security and the role of the U.S. in shaping interactions among Asian states.