Threats to Security in East Asia

The Polish Institute of International Affairs is an analytical institution established by an act of Parliament in 1996 to carry out research and provide expertise in international affairs. PISM disseminates information on contemporary international issues and maintains contacts with academic and political centres in Poland and abroad. The Institute runs courses for public servants, maintains a library (open to the public; 165,000 books and journals), organises conferences, and publishes books, periodicals and documents on Polish foreign policy and international matters.

The funding for PISM comes from the budget. The director is appointed by the prime minister for a term of five years, following consultation with the minister of foreign affairs. The minister supervises the Institute and appoints its advisory council, which includes a representative of the President of the Republic of Poland, academics and officials.The political and security situation in East Asia increased the risk of internal destabilisation in individual countries, regional militarisation and conflicts. It was likely that China will strengthen its position. The long-term effect might be a modification of regional order, which was currently based mainly on the presence of the U.S. as security guarantor. In the shorter term, the developments in Asia might convince the U.S. to increase its interest in the region at the expense of other parts of the world.