MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION
1. Student's full name: Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh 2. Gender: Female
3. Date of birth: October 16, 2000
4. Place of birth: Quang Ninh
5. Decision on recognition of students No. 5626/QD-XHNV December 29, 2023 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
6. Changes in training process: No
7. Thesis topic: New US force-gathering mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific (2021-2024)
8. Major: International Relations; Code: 8310601.01
9. Scientific instructor:
Dr. Nghiem Tuan Hung, Institute for European and American Studies
Dr. Pham Thi Thu Huyen, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
10. Summary of thesis results:
Thesis“New US Force Convergence Mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific (2021–2024)”systematized the theoretical basis and clarified the practical implementation of the US force-gathering mechanisms under President Joe Biden. Based on the application of international relations theories, the thesis established the concept of force-gathering mechanism.“is the way to organize and operate the coordination of policies, resources, and actions between international relations subjects, expressed in different flexible forms, to balance power or protect common strategic interests”.This is a new theoretical contribution, complementing traditional approaches that still tend to focus on force aggregation as a process.
From a practical perspective, the thesis has classified the system of US force-gathering mechanisms in the region into three groups: bilateral (US - India, US - Philippines, US - Papua New Guinea), small groups (AUKUS, US - Japan - Korea, US - Japan - Philippines), and multilateral (Quad, IPEF, PBP), thereby clarifying the motivation, form, goals and specific operational characteristics of each group of mechanisms.
The thesis also draws out five outstanding features of the force-gathering mechanisms in the 2021–2024 period, including: diversity, counterbalancing China, combining traditional and non-traditional security, flexibility and informality, and expanding partnerships. The thesis also points out four main development trends in the coming period, such as strengthening economic and technological cooperation, expanding the security network, promoting multilateralization, and increasing soft deterrence.
In addition, the study also analyzes the impact of these mechanisms on the regional security structure and Vietnam's foreign policy, and forecasts the trend of adjusting the US's force-gathering strategy, in the context of changes in US domestic politics. These theoretical and practical contributions are an important basis for identifying Vietnam's strategic motivation and planning flexible response policies in the region.
11. Practical application:
The research results of the thesis can contribute to supporting research, teaching and foreign policy planning. The specific classification of the forms of US force mobilization in the Indo-Pacific region helps researchers, policy makers and diplomats to more clearly identify the strategic motivation, operational structure, as well as the security and political consequences of each cooperation model. The research results of the thesis can be used as a reference in strategic analysis, policy forecasting and determining appropriate response options for Vietnam in the context of increasingly fierce strategic competition between major countries in the region.
12. Further research directions:
From the research results, some further research directions can be proposed as follows:
(1) Comparative analysis between the US and China's force-gathering mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific region to more clearly identify similarities and differences in approach strategies;
(2) In-depth research on the role of middle-ranking countries (such as Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, etc.) in the new force-gathering structure;
(3) Analyze the impact of non-traditional factors (such as cyber security, climate change, high-tech supply chains) on the design of force-gathering mechanisms of major countries;
13. Published works related to the thesis:
Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh (2025), "US multilateral force gathering mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific region in the period 2021-2024",Asia Pacific Economic Journal, No. 1 (686), July 2025, pp. 9-14.
INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS
1. Full name: Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh 2.Sex: Female
3. Date of birth: October 16, 2000 4. Place of birth: Quang Ninh Province
5. Admission decision number: 5626/QD-XHNV Dated December 29, 2023
6. Changes in academic process: No
7. Official thesis title: The US' New Force Aggregation Mechanism in Indo-Pacific (2021-2024)
8. Major: International Relations 9. Code: 8310601.01
10. Supervisors: Dr. Nghiem Tuan Hung, Institute for Europeans and Americas
Dr. Pham Thi Thu Huyen, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:
The thesis“The US' New Force Aggregation Mechanism in Indo-Pacific (2021-2024)”systematically organizes the theoretical foundations and clarifies the practical implementation of US force aggregation mechanisms under President Joe Biden's administration. Drawing upon international relations theories, the concept conceptualizes force aggregation mechanisms as“institutionalized or flexible modes of organizing and operating the coordination of policies, resources, and actions among actors in international relations, expressed through various adaptable forms, aimed at balancing power or safeguarding shared strategic interests.”This constitutes a novel theoretical contribution, complementing traditional approaches that have dominated force aggregation as a mere process.
From a practical perspective, the thesis categorizes the US force aggregation mechanisms in the region into three groups: bilateral (eg, US–India, US–Philippines, US–Papua New Guinea), minilateral (eg, AUKUS, US–Japan–South Korea, US–Japan–Philippines), and multilateral (eg, Quad, IPEF, PBP). Through this typology, the study elucidates the driving forces, modalities, objectives, and operational characteristics unique to each type of mechanism.
The thesis further identifies five prominent features of US force aggregation mechanisms during 2021–2024: (1) security diversity in forms of engagement, (2) counterbalancing China, (3) integration of traditional and non-traditional, (4) flexible and informal institutionalization, and (5) partner-network expansion. Additionally, it highlights four emerging trends likely to shape future developments: (1) strengthening economic–technological cooperation, (2) expanding security networks, (3) strengthening multilateralism, and (4) enhancing soft deterrence.
Moreover, the research explains the implications of these mechanisms for regional security architecture and Vietnam's foreign policy. It also forecasts potential adjustments to US force aggregation strategies in response to shifts in US domestic politics. These theoretical and empirical contributions provide a crucial foundation for identifying strategic drivers and formulating adaptive policy responses for Vietnam within the regional context.
12. Practical applicability, if any:
The findings of this thesis can contribute to research, teaching, and foreign policy planning. By offering a clear typology of US force aggregation mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific, it enables scholars, motivated, and diplomats to better understand strategic drivers, operational structures, and the security–political implications of different cooperation models. The results can serve as a valuable reference for strategic analysis, policy forecasting, and identifying appropriate response options for Vietnam amid intensification great-power competition in the region.
13. Further research directions, if any:
Building on these findings, several avenues for further research can be proposed:
Comparative analysis of US and Chinese force aggregation mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific to better delineate similarities and differences in their strategic approaches.
In-depth examination of middle-power roles (eg, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea) within the emerging force aggregation architecture.
Exploration of non-traditional factors—such as cybersecurity, climate change, and high-tech supply chains—in shaping the design of great-power force aggregation mechanisms.
14. Thesis-related publications:
Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh (2025), “The US' Multilateral Force Aggregation Mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific during 2021-2024”,Asia Pacific Economic Journal[Asia-Pacific Economic Journal], No. 1 (686), July 2025, pg. 9-14.
Author:Training Department
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