Derek Grossman is a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Southern California, the founder and chief analyst of Indo-Pacific Solutions, a former analyst at the Rand Corp., and a former daily intelligence briefer to the U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs.
Sailors aboard the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Jose Rizal salute a passing Royal Australian Navy destroyer during a naval exercise near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Sept. 3, 2025.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang shake hands at the Defense Ministry’s headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Nov. 2.
East Timor President José Ramos-Horta, wearing a patterned blue and white suit jacket, stands with arms outstretched against a red backdrop that says "asean."
