Under Pressure: The Present and Future of International Order

The Chinese Communist Party will shortly hold its 20th National Congress during a highly unsettled period in international affairs. In February, after President Putin and President Xi declared a "friendship without limits", Russia launched its brutal invasion of Ukraine. In August, China responded to US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei with major military exercises. Meanwhile, President Biden has become increasingly vocal in his support for Taiwan. 
 
Just days ahead of the CCP Congress, the Lowy Institute hosted the head of one of the most influential think tanks in Washington, Richard Fontaine the CEO of the Center for a New American Security. He addressed the Institute about the present and future of international order. After his remarks, he spoke in conversation with Executive Director Michael Fullilove about US security policy in Asia, China’s challenge to the United States and the rules-based order, as well as how the Ukraine war is being viewed in Washington. 
 
Richard Fontaine is Chief Executive Officer of the Center for a New American Security. He served as President of CNAS from 2012–19 and before that as Senior Fellow from 2009–12. Prior to his time at CNAS, he was foreign policy adviser to Senator John McCain and worked at the US State Department, the National Security Council, and on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

This event was presented as part of the project Australia's Security and the Rules-Based Order which is supported by the Australian Department of Defence Strategic Policy Grants Program.