OTAP · Asia-Pacific Bureau · Est. 2026

Asia-Pacific Bureau

OTAP's first regional bureau work where the shocks land. From Wellington we cover four theatres and three cross-cutting programmes, translating contested waters, coercive economics, and contested supply chains into decisions a board can actually take.

We remain a non-profit and a thought pioneer. Advisory work funds the research; it does not set its conclusions
The Bureau

Regional analysis built around the shocks shaping the Asia-Pacific.

OTAP's first regional bureau works where security, trade, maritime competition, and governance intersect. The bureau monitors risk across the region and translates complex developments into concise, decision-useful analysis.

Research is organised around regional desks and specialised programmes, with a common emphasis on strategic warning, policy relevance, and institutional clarity.

Focus Areas6 desks · 3 programmes
9–01

Pacific, NZ & Australia

Island-state resilience, ANZ policy alignment, and strategic competition across the southwest Pacific.

9–02

Southeast Asia

ASEAN dynamics, maritime disputes, and political economy in continental and maritime Southeast Asia.

9–03

East Asia

China and the Koreas, Japanese strategy, and shifts in the regional balance of power.

9–04

South Asia

India, Pakistan, regional security competition, and political economy across the subcontinent.

9–05

Security Programme

Maritime security, military posture, hybrid threats, and conflict warning.

9–06

Economics Programme

Critical minerals, supply chains, sanctions, and regional geoeconomic exposure.

9–07

Wargaming Programme

Scenario-led assessments, decision exercises, and strategic stress testing.

Recent for the BureauAll Publications →
Cable Landing and Contested Seabed: Exposure in the Timor SeaSecurity Rare Earths After the Export Review: Who Absorbs the ShockEconomics Pacific Islands Compact and the Limits of Regional ConsentPacific Desk Mainland Southeast Asia: Same Economies as a Security ProblemSoutheast Asia
Personnel50+ desks · 3 programmes
Bureau Office

APB Executive

Pacific Desk

Pacific Desk

Chief · Desk Head

  • Senior Analyst
  • Senior Analyst
  • Analyst
  • Analyst
  • Research Associate
Southeast Asia Desk

Southeast Asia Desk

Chief · Desk Head

  • Senior Analyst
  • Senior Analyst
  • Analyst
  • Analyst
  • Research Associate
East Asia Desk

East Asia Desk

Chief · Desk Head

  • Senior Analyst
  • Senior Analyst
  • Analyst
  • Analyst
  • Research Associate
South Asia Desk

South Asia Desk

Chief · Desk Head

  • Senior Analyst
  • Senior Analyst
  • Analyst
  • Analyst
  • Research Associate
Security Programme

Security Programme

Maritime Security & Information Infrastructure

  • Programme Lead
  • Senior Analyst
  • Analyst

Cyber & Hybrid Threats

  • Unit Lead
  • Senior Analyst
  • Analyst
Economics Programme

Economics Programme

Critical Minerals & Supply Chain Security

  • Unit Lead
  • Senior Analyst
  • Analyst

Sanctions, Economic Coercion & Development

  • Unit Lead
  • Senior Analyst
  • Analyst
Wargaming Programme

Wargaming Programme

  • Programme Lead
  • Senior Analyst
  • Senior Analyst
  • Analyst
  • Research Associate