Washington, D.C. – February 15, 2026:

Leading geopolitical analyst and author Asanga Abeyagoonasekera participated in a featured discussion at the 2026 Virtual Conference, hosted by the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) at Harvard University, engaging a global audience of emerging student leaders on geopolitics, foreign affairs, institutional resilience, and leadership in an increasingly volatile world.

During the interactive session, Abeyagoonasekera explored the central themes of his new book, Winds of Change, examining how small states navigate intensifying great-power competition, democratic stress, and economic fragility. Drawing from his experience in national security, foreign policy, governance reform work with the International Monetary Fund, and multilateral advisory engagements, he emphasised that foresight and strong institutions are essential to preserving sovereignty and strategic autonomy.

Responding to questions from student delegates across multiple regions, he discussed the evolving Indo-Pacific landscape, the mounting pressures faced by smaller states amid major-power rivalry, and the growing intersection between economic governance and national security. He underscored that resilience—rather than size—ultimately determines a state’s capacity to withstand external shocks and internal crises.

“The depth and rigor of the questions reflected a generation that is thinking seriously about power, governance, and long-term strategy,” Abeyagoonasekera noted following the event. “In a fragmented and unpredictable global order, investing in institutional integrity and anticipatory governance is no longer optional—it is a strategic necessity.”

The session formed part of HPAIR’s flagship Virtual Conference 2026, which convened students and young professionals from around the world to engage in dialogue with policymakers, scholars, and practitioners on pressing global challenges.

Abeyagoonasekera’s participation further contributes to the international dialogue surrounding Winds of Change, published by World Scientific, a work that analyzes domestic political instability from external influences, the shifting balance of power across Asia and the structural forces reshaping the global order.