The Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment complements the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), providing further background to key regional strategic, geopolitical, economic, military and security topics. It emphasises the continuing importance of great-power competition in shaping the region's approaches to alliances and partnerships. This year's book will be highly relevant to the 2021 SLD.

The bilateral Sino-American relationship is key among those explored as the book outlines crucial recent milestones between the major powers, before moving on to explore developments that have far-reaching consequences, such as the collapse of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, diplomatic efforts relating to North Korea and the future of core alliances and partnerships in the region, including those relating to the United States, and the breakdown in Japan and South Korea's bilateral relationship. The geographical scope is broadened to consider Europe's role in the Asia-Pacific in the wake of existential questions in the European Union, as well as Indonesia's place in the region when the president prioritises domestic over foreign-policy. The effects of so-called medium powers like Japan and Australia are also explored, assessing their defence and security priorities and capabilities.

Authors include leading regional analysts and academics, at the forefront of research and analysis: Douglas Barrie, William Choong, Aaron Connelly, Andrew Davies, Michael Elleman, Bonnie S. Glaser, Euan Graham, Christopher W. Hughes, Meia Nouwens, Brendan Taylor and William Tow.