Grand Strategy | The Quad four and their four dilemmas

Quad is a unique minilateral initiative in one of the world’s strategically most consequential regions, the Indo-Pacific. Consider the following statement from the Tokyo joint statement: “Through the Quad, we are supporting the region through practical cooperation on challenges such as maritime security, critical and emerging technologies, cyber security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, health security, climate change, counterterrorism, infrastructure and connectivity, and addressing the debt crisis through sustainable, transparent and fair lending and financing practices.” It is not impossible to understand the rationale behind this expansive agenda: the region needs public goods more than traditional security given the state of development in the Indo-Pacific region where the Quad is active. Naming China as an aggressor might attract an unwanted outcome, China’s ire; however, not naming China, on the other hand, could suggest that the Quad Four lack the courage to stand up to China’s aggression. However, if the quad members don’t address the larger security context, it will over time help China given its continuing rise in the broader region. The democracy dilemma Quad’s fourth dilemma pertains to one of its foundational claims: the coming together of four democracies to provide public goods to the region.