The decisive reelection of Donald Trump has set the stage for a renewed emphasis on the "America First" doctrine, reshaping the global order and creating far-reaching implications for Asia. With the incoming administration preparing to take office in January, key questions arise about the United States' evolving role in the region, its strategy towards China, and its approach to subregions like South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Trump’s second term presents a critical moment of both risk and possibilities for long-standing U.S. partners like Pakistan. A reorientation of U.S. policy to reduce overseas military commitments and protect the U.S. economy requires a new assessment of the areas of cooperation and negotiation in the U.S.-Pakistan relationship.

Join the Asia Society Policy Institute and The Express Tribune for a timely webinar analyzing Trump’s second term and its impact on Asia. Expert panelists will explore critical questions, including how intensified U.S.-China competition may shape relations with U.S. allies and partners in Asia, what Trump’s team and policies reveal about future U.S. priorities in the region, and the strategic options available for South Asia—particularly Pakistan, as it seeks to enhance collaboration and rework ties.

The virtual discussion, moderated by Farwa Aamer, Director of South Asia Initiatives, ASPI, will feature Daniel Russel, Vice President of International Security and Diplomacy, ASPI, Maleeha Lodhi, former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States and former Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, and Kamran Yousaf, Journalist and Host of The Review on Express News.

Speakers

Daniel Russel is Vice President for International Security and Diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI). Previously he served as a Diplomat in Residence and Senior Fellow with ASPI for a one year term. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service at the U.S. Department of State, he most recently served as the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Prior to his appointment as Assistant Secretary on July 12, 2013, Mr. Russel served at the White House as Special Assistant to the President and National Security Council (NSC) Senior Director for Asian Affairs. During his tenure there, he helped formulate President Obama’s strategic rebalance to the Asia Pacific region, including efforts to strengthen alliances, deepen U.S. engagement with multilateral organizations, and expand cooperation with emerging powers in the region.

Prior to joining the NSC in January of 2009, he served as Director of the Office of Japanese Affairs and had assignments as U.S. Consul General in Osaka-Kobe, Japan (2005-2008); Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands (2002-2005); Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus (1999-2002); Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering (1997-99); Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (1995-96); Political Section Unit Chief at U.S. Embassy Seoul, Republic of Korea (1992-95); Political Advisor to the Permanent Representative to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Ambassador Pickering (1989-92); Vice Consul in Osaka and Branch Office Manager in Nagoya, Japan (1987-89); and Assistant to the Ambassador to Japan, former Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield (1985-87).

In 1996, Mr. Russel was awarded the State Department's Una Chapman Cox Fellowship sabbatical and authored America’s Place in the World, a book published by Georgetown University. Before joining the Foreign Service, he was manager for an international firm in New York City.

Mr. Russel was educated at Sarah Lawrence College and University College, University of London, UK.

Dr. Maleeha Lodhi is a prominent Pakistani diplomat, academic, and political commentator. She has served twice as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States (1994–1997 and 1999–2002) and also as the country's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (2003–2008). Additionally, she was Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2015 to 2019.

Dr. Lodhi is recognized as one of the most accomplished women in Pakistan's diplomatic history. She has also been a professor at the London School of Economics (LSE), a member of the UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Disarmament, and the editor of leading Pakistani newspapers, including The News International.

She holds a PhD. in Political Science from the London School of Economics and is known for her expertise in international relations, public policy, and South Asian affairs.

Kamran Yousaf: Kamran has over two decades of experience in journalism across both print and electronic media. He contributes to both local and international media, covering foreign affairs, national security, defense, politics, and political economy. He also co-hosts the show The Review on Express News and writes on foreign affairs, defense, and national security for The Express Tribune.

Farwa Aamer (moderator) is the Director of South Asia Initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) in New York where she oversees the institute’s policy work and projects in South Asia.

Prior to ASPI, Farwa worked at the Stimson Center where she led research on the security, political, and socio-economic dimensions of transboundary river governance in the Himalayan region. Through her work, Farwa has organized and convened high-level Track II dialogues and discussions designed to facilitate greater inter-and intra-regional cooperation on issues and opportunities concerning water, energy, climate change, and sustainable development in South Asia, MENA, and Central Asia. Farwa also worked on highlighting the disproportionate impacts of climate change and water insecurity on women. From 2017 to 2021, Farwa was with the EastWest Institute (EWI) and served as the Director of the South Asia program. At EWI, Farwa worked on promoting non-traditional channels of diplomacy and establishing multi-stakeholder platforms for shared economic, financial, and geopolitical interests by bringing together policy shapers, media influencers, thought leaders, and business experts from within South Asia and across the globe.

Farwa received her Bachelors of Science degree in Economics from University College London (UCL) and has a Masters in Management with Finance from BPP Business School, London.