The Strategic Impact of Expanding AUKUS in the Indo-Pacific

China’s rise as a great power is the most important geopolitical challenge confronting the US today. Washington remains concerned over Beijing’s expanding economic and strategic influence around three maritime zones in the Indo-Pacific region, including the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Thus, the Indo-Pacific region remains a defining area in the new era of contention between China and US, signifying an impending tussle for global and regional primacy and competing postures...