Press Release

Representative Ami Bera (D-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, today chaired a Subcommittee hearing on the implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine for U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific.

"Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine has been a stark reminder of the threats that one man's unchecked ambitions and ego can pose for international peace and stability. The invasion builds on years of Russian coercive behavior – military, economic, and diplomatic – that erode sovereignty, and attempt to undermine international resolve," said Chairman Bera. "These tactics are unfortunately all too familiar to the people of the Indo-Pacific. From disinformation campaigns across the Taiwan Strait to frequent small-scale incursions in the South and East China Sea, Beijing has for years used gray zone operations to erode sovereignty, stability, and unity in Asia. As we've seen from Putin's invasion of Ukraine, we must take steps now to defend international norms and proactively deter against future conflicts."

Chairman Bera continued: "We must seize on the diplomatic unity that has resulted from the Ukraine crisis and build similar coalitions to defend against authoritarian aggression in the Indo-Pacific. We must also strengthen our collective economic resilience, invest in critical national security sectors at home, and help the private sector find opportunities outside of China."

Expert witnesses included: Charles Edel, Ph.D., Australia Chair and Senior Adviser, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Bonny Lin, Ph.D., Director, China Power Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Tanvi Madan, Ph.D., Director, The India Project, Brookings Institution; and Dan Blumenthal, Ph.D., Senior Fellow and Director of Asian Studies, American Enterprise Institute.

Click here to watch a recording of the hearing.

Click here to view Rep. Bera's opening remarks.

Representative Bera sent a March 2022 open letter to allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific commending them for their strong support for the people of Ukraine and the rules-based international order.