Theme
Mosaic of Powers 2026 : The Indo-Pacific Frontline & Great-Power Geometry
Rivalry, Alignment Patterns, and the Making of Tomorrow’s World Order
January: Opening
When Conflict Begins Within: Ethics, Power, and Global Order
Anita Abbott, PhD
February: Strategic Forum Discussion
The Indo-Pacific Chessboard: Great-Power Moves and Countermoves
Contributors:
Anita Abbott, PhD
Stephen Nagy, PhD
Gabriel Honrada, PhD
MGen Gert-Johannes Hagemann (Ret)
Lt Gen Francesco Diella (Ret)
Col John Black (Ret)
March: Symposium
Crypto, digital power, and geopolitical foresight
Symposium in support of Future Frontlines Forum Hub
APSI Global Hub Network | APSI Forum
SESSION 1: Crypto as a strategic asset
Key Questions:
How do states weaponize crypto for sanctions evasion (Russia, Iran, North Korea)?
Could crypto reserves become a form of strategic deterrence for smaller states?
What would a "digital currency arms race" look like?
SESSION 2: Blockchain in Grey Zone Conflict
Key Questions:
How can blockchain improve trust and interoperability among NATO allies, partners, and private contractors during joint deployments?
Is blockchain fast and resilient enough to support near-real-time operational logistics for small states under pressure—such as Taiwan, Estonia, or Singapore?
As undersea cables become primary targets in grey-zone conflict, how can blockchain-based redundancy ensure continuity of communications and financial flows?
How would a Taiwan Strait crisis affect blockchain networks, crypto exchanges, and institutional settlement systems—and what resilience mechanisms are needed?
SESSION 3: Crypto in Rogue-State Financing
Key Questions:How can open-source blockchain intelligence be integrated with classified intelligence to give a more complete picture of illicit crypto flows?
Is the increasing use of DeFi and DEXes by rogue-state operatives structurally changing the underground financial system?
Could quantum computing break current blockchain signatures—and what would that mean for rogue-state financing?
Is Layer-2 scaling grows (rollups, sidechains), do we risk creating new unmonitored financial corridors for illicit actors?
SESSION 4 :The “Crypto Refuge” State
Key Questions:Could a small, agile state become a safe haven for digital assets?
What geopolitical risks and benefits does this create?
Could a crypto refuge be leveraged as a geopolitical bargaining chip?
April:
Strategic Lens Discussion
May: Annual Congress
Congress of wings, waves, and strategic presence
A congress in support of Sea and Air Strategic Forum Hub
APSI Global Hub Network | APSI Forum
May: Excellence Recognition for Intern Graduates
26th of May
June:
Strategic Lens Discussion
July:
Strategic Lens Discussion
August:
Annual Parliamentary Assembly
September: Colloquium
A colloquium in support of Europe-Asia Forum Hub
APSI Global Hub Network | APSI Forum
October:
Strategic Lens Discussion
November:
Annual Summit
2025
Theme:
Mosaic of Powers: Geopolitical Dynamics from Asia to the Middle East
February: Special Topic
Geopolitical Shifts: Iran's Impact on Middle Eastern Dynamics
February 27 | 8am NZT
Virtual
Facilitator: MGen Gert-Johannes Hagemann (Ret)
Speakers: Lt Col Shaul Bartal, Research Associate, Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies
Ryan Bohl, senior Analyst, RANEOpening Remarks: Prof Dr Anita Abbott
February: 30 Minute Strategic Lens
The Taiwan Card and Diplomatic Calculations: Strategies Amid China Relations
February 27 | 8pm NZT
Virtual
Facilitator: Professor Stephen Nagy, National Chung Hsing University
Speaker: Professor Mumin Chen, International Christian University, Tokyo
March: Strategic Lens Discussion
Forging a New Path: Europe’s Indo-Pacific Strategy Amid Shifting US Priorities
By invitation only
March 19th
Facilitator: Dr Gabriel Honrada
Contributors:
- MGen Gert-Johannes Hagemann (Ret)
- LtGen Francesco Diella (Ret)
April: Geopolitics Today Discussion Series
Strategic Autonomy and Indo-Pacific Security: Adapting to Shifting Alliances
April 16 | 6 pm NZT Virtual (by invitation only)
Moderator: Brett Murphy
Contributors
MGen Karsten Stoye, Head of Civil-Military Cooperation and Military Advisor to the Director General EUROCONTROL
General Sir James Everard, Lead Senior Mentor, NATO Allied Command Operations
Prince Michael von Liechtenstein, Executive Chairman and Founder Geopolitical Intelligence Services
Mark Cameron, the Defense Spokesperson for the Act Party
May: Strategic Lens Discussion
Shaping Asia: How U.S. Views on Defense Impact the Region
May 13th | 8 AM NZT Virtual (by invitation only)
Lead Discussant: Adj Prof David Jonas
Contributors:
LtGen Leo Kosinski (Ret), APSI CoE
Col John Black (Ret)
May: ANNUAL CONGRESS
Talent Acquisition and Workforce Readiness for APSI Young Strategic
Professionals (APSI YsPro)
Facilitators: Maxwell Abbott and Yusak Indra
June: Geopolitics Today Discussion Series
Red Lines and Rivalries: Is South Asia Nearing a Breaking Point?
June 23rd | 4PM NZT Virtual (by invitation only)
Opening Remarks: Prof Dr Anita Abbott
Moderator: Brett Murphy
Dr Qamar Cheema, Director of Sanober Institute, Islamabad
Qasim Mustafa, Director (Arms Control and Disarmament Centre) of the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad
Air Vice Marshall Anil Golani (Retd), Director General, Center of Air Power Studies, New Delhi
Vice Admiral Girish Luthra (Retd), Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundationn, Mumbai
July: Geopolitics Today Discussion Series
Anchoring Berlin in the Indo-Pacific: What Role for Germany in Tomorrow's Asia?
July 1st | 6PM NZT
Virtual (by invitation only)
Opening Remarks: Prof Dr Anita Abbott
Moderator: Brett Murphy
Contributors:
- Lucas Meier, German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance
- MGen Gert-Johannes Hagemann (Ret), APSI Forum
July: Special Topic
Tensions at the Gateway: Germany, China, and the High Stakes in the Red Sea
By invitation only
July 15
8-9pm NZT
Speaker: CDR Uwe Von Parpart (Ret)
August: Strategic Lens Discussion
Flying into the Grey Zone: The Future of Air Power and Deterrence in Asia
9am NZT | 5th August
By invitation only
Contributors:
Col John Black (Ret), Distinguished Research Fellow, APSI CoE
Paul Szymanski, Space Strategies Center
General Mike Minihan (Ret), Maverick Advisor LLC
August: Strategic Lens Discussion
Forging the Pacific Shield: Trilateral Defense in a Shifting Ocean Order
August 14th
10 am NZT
Contributors:
-Scott Stalker
-Dr Satoru Nagao
August: Special Topic
Israel’s Military Strategy and the Future of Hamas
August 26, 5 pm NZT
Contributor:
Barry Shaw, Israel Institute for Strategic Studies
Annual Summit
The Mosaic of Powers: Competing Rivalries and Fragile Cooperation in Tomorrow’s Order
Venue: MERCURE Hotel Abel Tasman,
169 Willis St, Wellington, New Zealand
Pre-summit
November 15-16
Leaders' Coffee Dialogue
Morning Coordination Breakfast
Coffee and Diplomacy
Dress Code: Smart Casual Attire
November 17
5.30pm-7pm NZT
Deterrence Across Two Theaters: Lessons from Steadfast Noon and the Indo-Pacific Dilemma
Speaker: MGen Gert-Johannes Hagemann (Ret), APSI Forum
Dress Code: Smart Casual Attire
November 18
8.30 am: Arrival tea and coffee
8.45 am-9am: National anthem and Karakia
9am-9.10am: Opening Remarks: Andy Foster, New Zealand First
9.10-9.30: Keynote: Anita Abbott, PhD
Competing Rivalries, Fragile Cooperation: Understanding Power in Tomorrow’s Order.
PART 1: Europe in the Indo-Pacific: Strategy, Security, and the China Challenge
9.30-11am:
SESSION 1 : NATO and the Indo-Pacific : Aligning Atlantic and Pacific security architecture
(Virtual)
Lead Discussant: LGen Francesco Diella (Ret), APSI Forum
Contributors:
- MGen Adrian Ciolponea, NATO HQ
- Col. Arnel David, NATO SHAPE
11am-11.10: break
11.10-11.45am:
SESSION 2: Europe’s Indo Pacific Strategy: Can Europe project real influence?
Speakers: MGen Gert Johannes Hagemann (Ret) and HE Dr Andreas Prothmann
SESSION 3: Deterrence on the Edge: Testing Alliance Resolve from the Baltics to Taiwan
Speaker: Rodger Baker
11.45am-12.10pm:
Keynote lunch: Hon Chris Penk
Aligning Industry and Strategy: The NZ Defence Industry Plan and the Role of Global Partners
PART 2: Taiwan’s Security Mosaic: Allies, Asymmetric Lessons, and Hybrid Warfare
1.30-2.45pm
SESSION 4: Lessons from Ukraine (Virtual)
Lead Discussant: Dr Gabriel Honrada, APSI Forum
Contributors:
- Lt Col David Jonas (Ret)
-Col Grant Newsham (Ret)
-Chase Blazek
2.45-2.50 pm: break
2.50-4pm:
SESSION 5: The US, Japan, and Europe’s evolving role in Taiwan’s security (Virtual)
Lead Discussant: Stephen Nagy, PhD, APSI Forum
Contributors:
- Col. John Black (Ret)
-Captain Yuki Bito, PhD
PART III: Economic diplomacy vs strategic presence
4.pm-5.10pm
SESSION 6: Economic diplomacy vs strategic presence: what works better?
Moderator : Brett Murphy
Speakers:
Tenzin Doring, MP
Simon O'Connor
HE Idelta Rodrigues
5.10 pm-5.30pm-: Concluding Remarks
Bridging Allies and Aspirations: Strategic Relevance in a Fragmented Indo-Pacific
Speaker: HE Afamasaga Faamatalaupu Toleafoa
Guests:
Switzerland Ambassador to NZ, HE Viktor Vavricka
Italian Ambassador to NZ, HE Christiano Maggipinto
Japanese Defense Attache, Lt Col Tsuru Yasuto
Fijian First Secretary Mrs. Eileen Pickering
Solomon Island Second Secretary Mrs June Rofeta Maenu’u
Solomon Islands High Commissioner Ishmael Avui
First Secretary, Taiwan, Clair Chia-Chin
PNG Deputy High Commissioner, Pati Pyale
Mia Prahaswati, Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor‑Leste in New Zealand
Dress Code:
Civilians: Corporate Attire
Military Officers: Service Uniform
Post summit:
Coffee and Diplomacy
Summit Diplomatic Engagements
Dress Code:
Corporate Attire
Please note, most delegates are self-funded or are fully sponsored by their institutions.
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We do not share the discussion and findings of the summits, international parliamentary assembly, and on-site forum discussions to non-members.
The members will need to contribute by sharing their knowledge, expertise, and skills in the forum
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