Read more about our Contributors

Dimitra Staikou is a Greek international journalist, political analyst, author and playwright specialising in India, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific, international relations and strategic affairs. Her work on geopolitics, security and international policy has been published and republished by a range of international media and policy platforms, including Eurasia Review, Modern Diplomacy, EU Reporter, EuropaWire, Daily Express UK, Pressenza and other international publications. 

Dr Misa Tomono is a member of the 2026 Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network. She is a medical doctor and PhD candidate specialising in multi-sectoral preparedness and crisis coordination. With experience across disaster response, public health research, and international institutions, her work focuses on strengthening evidence-based, resilient systems for all-hazards emergency preparedness and response.

Cheri Pong is a Hong Kong–based analyst specialising in international political economy, sanctions policy, and great-power competition. She holds an MPhil in Political Science and writes on economic statecraft, financial coercion, and the strategic competition between China and the United States.

David Saultry is an independent consultant specialising in economic security and critical minerals, previously advising on US-China strategic competition at the Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Dr Lupita Wijaya is a Research Fellow from La Trobe Centre for Global Security. Her research expertise lies in the intersection of information and maritime security, with a particular focus on the South China Sea. She is currently managing Southeast Asia Maritime Media Fellowship (formerly known as Southeast Asia Maritime Media Visits Project), supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Joy Dianne Gumatay is a Senior Strategic Communications Officer with the Philippine Coast Guard. As a maritime peacebuilding and strategic communications practitioner, she draws on operational experience to examine maritime security and regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Lucy Pennington is a Naarm-based international affairs practitioner and researcher. She is a PhD candidate at Monash University, looking at how foreign policy is made on the diplomatic frontlines. Lucy has designed, implemented and evaluated major infrastructure, climate, public diplomacy, tourism, gender and water programs for DFAT (Australia), MFAT (New Zealand), the Asian Development Bank and UNHCR. She has worked on international development programs across the Pacific, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Her foreign policy commentary is featured in international policymaker-focused forums, including through @lucyfieldnotes on most platforms. She is a 2026 Euan Crone Asian Awareness Scholar (AIIA) and a Visiting Fellow at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Safia Mansoor is PhD Scholar of International Relations at School of Integrated Social Sciences, University of Lahore. She has also served as Research Associate at the Maritime Centre of Excellence, Pakistan Navy War College Lahore. Her research area includes armament and disarmament, emerging military technologies, nuclear deterrence and strategic stability in South Asia.

Prachi Lokhande is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament, Jawaharlal Nehru University and teaches International Relations at Hamdard Institute of International Studies, Jamia Hamdard. She is a UGC-JRF awardee in Defence and Strategic Studies, International Relations and Area Studies, and a Gold Medallist. She has previously held research positions at the Indian Council of World Affairs and the Centre for Air Power Studies. She is a Pacific Forum Young Leader and a fellow of the India-Europe Resilience Forum.