Speaker biographies

Michael Auslin studies U.S.-Asian relations, Japanese foreign policy, Asia-Pacific multilateral organizations, and Asian security as a resident scholar at AEI. Previously, Mr. Auslin was an associate professor of history and senior research fellow at the MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University. He has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, a Marshall Memorial Fellow by the German Marshall Fund, an Asia 21 Young Leader, and a Fulbright and Japan Foundation Scholar. His writings on Japan and Japanese diplomacy include the books Negotiating with Imperialism: The Unequal Treaties and the Culture of Japanese Diplomacy (Harvard university Press, 2006) and Japan Society: Celebrating a Century, 1907-2007 (Japan Society, 2007).

Christopher Griffin is a defense policy adviser for Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-D-Conn.). Mr. Griffin was a research fellow at AEI until earlier this year. At AEI he studied Chinese, Japanese, and U.S. strategy in Southeast Asia, with a focus on Vietnam, the Philippines, and Asia Pacific. Additionally, he examined Japan’s diplomatic and security reemergence and wrote regularly for AEI’s Asian Outlook series. Previously, he was a research assistant in the strategic studies department at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Richard Lawless is the president and CEO of Richard Lawless and Associates. He was the deputy undersecretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2002 to 2007. In this role, Mr. Lawless conceptualized, planned, developed, and executed U.S. defense policy in Asia. His work included alliance relationship management for Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand, as well as defense policy interaction with China, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, and other Asian nations. From 1972 and 1987 he worked at the CIA, with posts in Asia, Europe, and Washington.

Sak Sakoda is a partner at Armitage International, L.C. From 2002 to 2005 he was as an executive assistant to the deputy secretary of state. Previously, he served as the country director for Japan, Asian, and Pacific Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 1994¬ to 1999. In this capacity, Mr. Sakoda reviewed and revised the guidelines for U.S.-Japan defense cooperation, incorporating areas of peacekeeping, humanitarian relief, and regional security. A graduate of the Military College of South Carolina, the Citadel, he was commissioned Infantry in the U.S. Army in 1978, where he served as the company commander of the 9th Infantry Division, as the assistant chief of staff G5 for civil-military operations, the chief G3 exercises in the 25th Infantry Division, and as the executive officer of the 3rd Battalion for the 21st Infantry Division.

Lieutenant General Bruce Wright retired as commander of U.S. forces in Japan and commander of the 5th Air Force at the Yokota Air Base in Japan in April, 2008. In these command positions, he was the senior U.S. military representative in Japan and the commander of the U.S. Air Force units in Japan. Previously, he served as the vice commander of the Air Combat Command and the air component commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command and U.S. Northern Command. Lieutenant General Wright has flown combat missions during operations Desert Storm, Provide Comfort, and Deny Flight. He received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1973.

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