Asia Pacific

Human Rights and Democracy in Cambodia: Its Past, Present, and Future

April 2, 2026

April 22, 2026|12:30–2:00 PM |223 Philosophy Hall

REGISTER

Join us on April 22 from 12:30–2:00 PM for “Human Rights and Democracy in Cambodia: Its Past, Present, and Future.”

This event will feature Mu Sochua (via Zoom), a Renew Democracy Initiative Frontline Fellow and longtime Cambodian opposition leader and human rights activist, alongside Soknin Chhoeun, a youth leader and advocate for gender equality...

https://callink.berkeley.edu/event/12386778

Politics of the Red Sea: A Conversation with Ethan Chorin of Red Sea Futures

April 16, 2026

April 28, 2026 | 12:30 - 2:00 PM | 223 Philosophy Hall

Register

Join IIS and Ethan Chorin, Founder and Director Red Sea Futures, for a lunchtime talk to discuss the intense competition between regional and global powers in the Red Sea. Over one fifth of the world’s trade passes through this critically important waterway.

The...

China's Rare Earth Monopoly

April 2, 2026

April 14, 2026|1:00PM-3:00PM |223 Philosophy Hall

China's Rare Earth Monopoly: Hong Kong Finance and Threats to Taiwan & the Pacific

Organizer: Hong Kong Affairs Association of Berkeley

Learn how Beijing’s dominance in rare earth mineral mining is enabled by Hong Kong’s USD-pegged markets, banking networks, dollar clearing, and sanctions evasion. Join us for an assessment of risks to Taiwanese security, and potential countermeasures via the US led Rare Earth Alliance.

Panelists:

-Ray Wong...

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTRgsUEOmqegsn892l07nxb8aS32TKKRDfCm8O…

Ask a North Korean: A Conversation with Defector Charles Ryu

March 30, 2026

April 16, 2026 | 12:30 – 2 PM | 223 Philosophy Hall

Join IIS for an open and honest conversation about life, escape, and starting again with Charles Ryu, a North Korean defector, speaker, and founder of Freedom Bridge Foundation. Charles Ryu is a North Korean defector who rebuilt his life in the United States after surviving multiple escape attempts. Today, he shares his story to help others better understand life inside North Korea and the challenges many face when starting over.

Through his work, Charles has reached a global audience, offering a rare, firsthand perspective on one...

Film screening: Invisible Nation - PBS documentary on Taiwan

March 19, 2026

April 10, 2026 | 4 - 7 PM | VLSB 2040 (Valley Life Sciences Building)

The Alexander Hamilton Society is invites you to a special screening of the award-winning PBS documentary Invisible Nation.

Invisible Nation invites viewers on an unprecedented journey with Taiwan’s first female president as she works to secure her nation’s future. The film offers an in-depth look at Taiwan’s past, present, and uncertain future. As a young democracy...

Understanding the 2026 Bangladesh Election: Webinar Screening and Q&A

March 3, 2026

March 10, 2026 | 12:30 - 2 PM | 223 Philosophy Hall

Learn About Bangladesh’s 2024 July Revolution, the newly elected Bangladesh National Party, recent reforms, and the impact that its February 2026 elections will have on the nation’s future. IIS will screen a recent Stimson Center webinar examining the outcomes and implications of Bangladesh’s pivotal parliamentary elections, held at a critical turning point for the country. The discussion will explore how a sweeping victory by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the approval of a constitutional referendum are reshaping...

Complicating Simple Stories about Chinese AI

March 3, 2026

March 5, 2026 | 5 - 6:30 pm | 306 Soda Hall

China looms large in US conversations about AI policy. But often the stories that spread about Chinese AI are oversimplified—"China is poised to overtake the US in the AI race," "DeepSeek proved that chip export controls have failed," "AI is one area where the US and China should obviously cooperate." Since reality is usually more complicated, this talk, featuring Helen Toner (Georgetown CSET) in conversation with...

The Evolution of US-China Competition

February 13, 2026

February 24, 2026 | 6:30 - 8 PM | 223 Philosophy Hall

On Tuesday, February 24th, at 6:30 PM in Philosophy Hall, Room 223, the Alexander Hamilton Society, a student-led organization, will host Frank Lavin, former U.S. Ambassador to Singapore and senior U.S. trade official, now affiliated with the Hoover Institution.

Ambassador Lavin will speak on “U.S.–China Competition,” examining its evolution and future implications. The discussion will be moderated by Professor Vinod Aggarwal, a UC Berkeley political scientist specializing in international...

Jessica Olney

IIS Executive Director

Jessica Olney joined the Institute of International Studies the Executive Director in January 2026.

Jess brings extensive international experience as a practitioner and researcher on conflict, peacebuilding, human rights, and humanitarian response. She has led studies for and advised various governments, embassies, international NGOs, UN agencies, universities, institutional and private donors, and the International Criminal Court. She is passionate about working with students, and has trained dozens of refugee youth to lead research, advocacy, and humanitarian...

February 26: Junta on the Defense - Making Sense of Myanmar in 2026

January 28, 2026

February 26, 2026 | 12:30 - 2:00 PM | 223 Philosophy Hall

Nearly 80 percent of Myanmar’s territory is now either contested or controlled by anti-junta resistance groups. Aung Kyaw Moe, Deputy Minister of Human Rights for Myanmar’s pro-democracy government-in-exile, will offer an analysis of Myanmar’s rapidly evolving conflict and political landscape, explaining the advance of resistance forces over the past year.

He will discuss the regime’s recent elections, widely considered a sham to entrench junta rule. What does the electoral process mean...