| |
DKI APCSS Monthly Newsletter
|
July 2026
|
|
|
Readiness
Global Security Leaders Convene for Transnational Cooperation
DKI APCSS welcomed 36 senior Fellows from 26 countries and economies across the Indo-Pacific and beyond to the Transnational Security Cooperation (TSC) 26-1 course — our premier program designed exclusively for senior security practitioners. Participants engaged in an intensive exploration of critical transnational security challenges shaping the modern geopolitical landscape. The course opened with a distinguished keynote address by U.S. Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, the Honorable Sergio Gor, who framed the week's strategic focus, "Regional Deterrence Through Burden Sharing," underscoring the vital importance of collaborative security frameworks in an increasingly complex world.
Learn More
Allies and Partners
Indo-Pacific Leadership Exchange Held In-Region for the First Time
More than 100 allies and partners from 20 nations gathered in Brunei for IPSEL SMEE 26-1, marking the first time this senior enlisted leadership exchange has been co-hosted with a partner nation. The opening day brought together participants for a leadership breakfast hosted by the RBAF Commander, a first-of-its-kind alumni award for a Bruneian participant, and plenary discussions on national power and deterrence.
Learn More
Readiness
Strengthening Partnerships with Dual RIMPAC Symposium
DKI APCSS hosted international military leaders and chaplains July 2–3 for two events held in conjunction with the 2026 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, opened the RIMPAC Command Senior Enlisted Leader Conference, at which U.S. and allied leaders from 13 nations gathered to discuss regional trends, deterrence, gray zone activities, strategic communication and leadership.
Concurrently, the 3rd Fleet Chaplain Group led the International Chaplaincy Symposium. Multinational chaplains focused on strengthening partnerships and evaluating their roles in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief strategies and attending to the faith and morale needs of warfighters.
Allies and Partners
Faculty Discuss Regional Security, Maritime Priorities in Singapore
A DKI APCSS delegation — Dr. James M. Minnich, Dr. Lukas Filler, and Navy Cmdr. Liam Connel — recently visited Singapore to discuss regional security and maritime priorities with leading think tanks and Center alumni.
The team first joined a strategic roundtable at IISS-Asia, hosted by IISS-Asia Executive Director and DKI APCSS alumna Ms. Veerle Nouwens, to analyze the region’s evolving security landscape. The delegation also met with faculty from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, where RSIS senior fellow and alumna Ms. Jane Chan led a dialogue on U.S. maritime priorities and Southeast Asian security dynamics. Both engagements underscored the value of the Center’s alumni network and fostered a strong consensus for continued institutional collaboration as the Center advances its work in deterrence and regional capacity building.
|
|
|
America 250 Semiquincentennial Celebration
DKI APCSS celebrated the American Semiquincentennial with a 250th Independence Day event on July 2, 2026. The celebration brought together the Consular Corps of Hawaii, the DKI APCSS Foundation, and DKI APCSS faculty and staff to honor 250 years of American independence, freedom, opportunity, and enduring partnership. Guests were invited to share commemorative messages marking the milestone.
|
|
|
 |
|
Security Nexus is a free, open-access, peer-reviewed online publication covering comprehensive security issues throughout the Indo-Pacific region and the world.
|
 |
|
Explore critical defense insights in "America’s Strategic Edge: Deterrence, Lethality, and Warrior Ethos in the Indo-Pacific," edited by Dr. James M. Minnich. Learn how the U.S. sustains regional leadership and security through advanced capabilities, robust deterrence, and the enduring strength of its people.
|
|
|
Honorable Sergio Gor, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, and Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
His Excellency Fernando Barros, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Chile
|
|
• Ambassador Indroyono Soesilo, Indonesian Ambassador to the U.S.
• Ambassador Matt Murray, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands
• Ambassador Jared Novelly, U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand
• Admiral Steve Koehler, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet
• Lt. Gen. James Glynn, Commander, MARFORPAC
• Lt. Gen. Derek Macaulay, Senior Military Representative Indo-Pacific, Canada Department of National Defence
• Maj. Gen. Patrick A. Teague,
USPACOM J5
• Maj. Gen. Dan Waters, Adjutant General, Nevada National Guard
• Rear Admiral Mike Mattis, Director, Strategic Effects, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa Commander, Task Force-SIX SIX (CTF-66)
• Gen. (Ret.) Songwit Noonpackdee, former Chief of Defense Forces, Royal Thai Armed Forces
• Gen. Ho-bok Kim, Commander, ROK 2nd Operational Command
• Rear Admiral Guillaume Pinget, Commander of the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia (FAPF)
• Rear Admiral Takuo Kobayashi, Commander, Surface Warfare Group One (Japan)
• CAPSTONE 26-4 with retired Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., group leader and mentor.
|
|
Upcoming Programs
Podcast
Find our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube
 |
|
Dialogue | Episode 59 : Code, Cognition, and Competition: A Dialogue with Regional Center Experts on AI, Cyber, and Emerging Technologies.
Experts from four Regional Centers come together to discuss AI, Cyber and Emerging Technologies and its impact on regional security. Hosted by Dr. James Minnich, experts include: Dr. Kelsey Frazier (Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies) - Dr. Sae Schatz (George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies) - Dr. Nathaniel Allen (Africa Center for Strategic Studies) - Dr. Inez Miyamoto (Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies).
|
|
|
- Dialogue | Episode 58: Seizing the Orbital High Ground with Dr. Namrata Goswami. Our first ever Dialogue podcast recorded on location in Brunei.
-
Dialogue | Episode 60: The Making of Taiwan’s Military with
Historian Dr. Eric Setzekorn.
View schedule and recordings on dkiapcss.edu/dialogue
-
Strategic Voices Episode 6: The Changing Character of War - Has Technology Changed How Wars are Won?
View schedule and recordings on dkiapcss.edu/strategic-voices
|
|
 |
|
The U.S. Embassy in Nepal hosted approximately 25 DKI APCSS alumni at the residence of Lt. Col. Matthew P. Gross, senior defense official and defense attaché. Chargé d'Affaires Scott Urbom delivered remarks emphasizing regional security cooperation and the importance of the alumni network in connecting security practitioners and leaders.
|
 |
|
The Thai APCSS Alumni Association hosted a reception celebrating regional cooperation and leadership excellence. Thai Army Col. Charukris Ruangsuwan received the DKI APCSS 2025 International Alumnus of the Year Award, presented by DKI APCSS Professor Dr. Virginia Bacay Watson and retired Thai Gen. Nothapol Boonngam, president of the Thai APCSS Alumni Association and Transnational Security Cooperation course 16-2 graduate.
|
 |
|
U.S. Ambassador Caryn McClelland hosted nearly 40 Bruneian defense, security and private sector leaders at the chief of mission's residence in June. DKI APCSS Director Suzy Vares-Lum emphasized the alumni network's critical role in fostering regional partnerships, reinforcing the enduring U.S.-Brunei defense partnership, and the shared commitment of Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence graduates to advancing Indo-Pacific security cooperation.
|
 |
|
The DKI APCSS team reconnected with Singapore alumni, including Col. (Ret.) Zack Hamid, Capt. Uwe Tan and Lt. Col. Kiwi Koh, reinforcing the trusted security networks that form the foundation of the Center's Indo-Pacific mission.
|
|
|
|
|
|
