“INDO” has been dropped from “INDOPACOM”. The US Department of Defense’s decision to rename its Indo-Pacific Command back to Pacific Command has sparked questions about the future of one of the most influential strategic concepts in modern geopolitics. First championed by then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the early 2000s, it was later institutionalized as official US policy during President Donald Trump’s first term through the 2018 renaming of PACOM to INDOPACOM. This new name reflected the idea that India is an important strategic partner of the US and its allies, and that the Indian and Pacific oceans form a single strategic theater. The latest change comes as Trump met Indian PM Narendra Modi at the G7. Is this a symbolic shift, or does it reveal something deeper about Washington’s approach to China and Asia? In this episode, we examine the significance of the PACOM name change, the legacy of Abe’s Indo-Pacific vision and what it means for regional security.
Source: ‘USPACOM’ Name Change: What It Means For China, India, Quad | Taiwan Talks EP859
Summary
The United States Department of Defense has decided to rename its Indo-Pacific Command back to Pacific Command, removing the word "Indo" from the title. This decision follows a meeting between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit. The original inclusion of "Indo" in the command's name was established during Donald Trump's first term in 2018, reflecting a strategic view that treated the Indian and Pacific Oceans as a single theater with India as a key partner. This concept was initially championed by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the early 2000s before becoming official US policy. The recent change raises questions about whether this represents a symbolic shift or indicates a deeper alteration in Washington's approach to China and Asia. The episode explores the legacy of Abe's Indo-Pacific vision, the significance of the name change for regional security, and how US allies have promoted the concept. Recorded on June 18, 2026, the discussion features guests including Chenlung Kuo, Sana Hashmi, and Tsai Jung-hsiang to analyze these developments in geopolitics and defense strategy.
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