Arzan Tarapore

Arzan Tarapore Headshot CISAC

Arzan Tarapore, PhD

  • Research Scholar at CISAC

Biography

Arzan Tarapore is a Research Scholar whose research focuses on Indian military strategy and regional security issues in the Indo-Pacific. In academic year 2024-25, he is also a part-time Visiting Research Professor at the China Landpower Studies Center, at the U.S. Army War College. Prior to his scholarly career, he served for 13 years in the Australian Defence Department in various analytic, management, and liaison positions, including operational deployments and a diplomatic posting to the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC.

His academic work has been published in the Journal of Strategic Studies, International Affairs, The Washington Quarterly, Asia Policy, and Joint Force Quarterly, among others, and his policy commentary frequently appears on platforms such as Foreign Affairs, the Hindu, the Indian Express, The National Interest, the Lowy Institute's Interpreter, the Brookings Institution’s Lawfare, and War on the Rocks.

He previously held research and teaching positions at Georgetown University, the East-West Center in Washington, the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, and the RAND Corporation.

He earned a PhD in war studies from King's College London, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a BA (Hons) from the University of New South Wales. Follow his commentary on Twitter @arzandc and his website at arzantarapore.com.

publications

Engaging with reality in the Indian Ocean

Author(s)
Engaging with reality in the Indian Ocean
Journal Articles
September 2024

Zone Balancing: India and the Quad's New Strategic Logic

Author(s)
Zone Balancing: India and the Quad's New Strategic Logic
Journal Articles
January 2023

Minilateral Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific

Author(s)
Minilateral Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific
Journal Articles
October 2022

In The News

Arzan Tarapore on World Class Podcast
Commentary

Why Tensions Between India and Pakistan Matter to Global Security

On World Class Podcast, Arzan Tarapore and Michael McFaul discuss the latest escalation between India and Pakistan and what ongoing tensions in the Indo-Pacific could mean for geopolitical security.
Why Tensions Between India and Pakistan Matter to Global Security
World leaders gather at The Quad summit in Tokyo
News

India’s Strategic Balancing Act: The Quad as a Vehicle for Zone Balancing

In a new International Affairs article, APARC South Asia Research Scholar Arzan Tarapore introduces the concept of zone balancing, applies the theory to explain India’s embrace of the Quad, and identifies some of the minilateral partnership’s strategic limitations.
India’s Strategic Balancing Act: The Quad as a Vehicle for Zone Balancing
Microchip
Commentary

Towards Meaningful Quad Cooperation on Intelligence

Collaborative AI capabilities would allow the partners to deepen military cooperation, should leaders choose that step.
Towards Meaningful Quad Cooperation on Intelligence