The Project on Peace and Cooperation in the Asian-Pacific Region has been a cornerstone of research at the Center for International Security and Cooperation for three decades. It supports initiatives on security cooperation and tension reduction in the Asia-Pacific region with special emphasis on China and Korea. Currently, it focuses on Asian nuclear issues and Northeast Asia regional peace issues.

The Project undertakes activities involving scholars and officials from the United States and the countries of Northeast Asia. The goals of the Project are to increase the understanding of the relevant countries in the region regarding their common security interests as well as national concerns. To facilitate this, the Project organizes small workshops for specialists and officials; supports in-depth research and makes that research available to both academic specialists and policymakers; and selectively trains key individuals for future academic and government work.

The Project on Peace and Cooperation in the Asian-Pacific Region has helped the Center for International Security and Cooperation become a leading international research institution in the field of Asian security. As U.S.-China and U.S.-North Korea relations become more central to regional security, the role that the Project plays to promote dialogue and common understanding becomes increasingly important.

John W. Lewis directs the Project and a small group forms the nucleus of its day-to-day work. Members include Xue Litai, research associate; and Carole Hyde, project associate. This group maintains a working relationship with scholars and specialists throughout Stanford and with other institutes and governments at home and abroad. About 15 CISAC members participate in the Project's activities. Participants have made important contributions to the Center's work regarding information technology, ballistic missile defense, alliance transformation, non-proliferation and U.S. security and defense policies.