WASHINGTON, D.C. | March 5, 2025 – The Asia Group (TAG) is proud to announce a major expansion of its Defense & National Security Practice with the appointment of Christopher B. Johnstone as Partner and Chair of the Defense & National Security Practice and Abraham Denmark as Partner. This strategic growth strengthens TAG’s ability to deliver world-class solutions across the entire spectrum of defense and national security domains at a time of unprecedented geopolitical and security volatility in the Indo-Pacific.
“With Chris and Abe joining TAG’s leadership, our clients can now leverage dramatically expanded regional insights, demonstrated leadership, strategic vision, and direct defense industry experience,” said Rexon Ryu, President of TAG and immediate past Chair of the Defense & National Security Practice. “As global enterprises, defense companies, and technology leaders adapt corporate strategy and strategic capture campaigns to geopolitical uncertainty, our expanded Defense & National Security Practice is committed to providing the actionable intelligence, high-level engagement, and innovative solutions that drive success.”
Christopher B. Johnstone is a leading authority on Indo-Pacific defense strategy. Over a distinguished 25-year career in the U.S. government, Johnstone served on the National Security Council as Director for East Asia (2021-2022) and Director for Japan and Oceanian Affairs (2014-2016). In the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Johnstone led offices responsible for South and Southeast Asia (2017-2021) and East Asia (2016-2017). Prior to these roles, Johnstone served as Director for Northeast Asia (2010-2014), where he had principal responsibility for developing strategy for the U.S.-Japan and U.S.-South Korea alliances. Immediately prior to joining TAG, Johnstone served as Senior Advisor and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he led and expanded the Center’s role in shaping the U.S.-Japan alliance agenda, focusing on economic security, defense industrial cooperation, and multilateral frameworks.
Abraham Denmark is a widely respected expert on Indo-Pacific security and geopolitics. Most recently, he served as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Defense, where he played a pivotal role in crafting the historic AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom. Denmark was a key architect in designing the Optimal Pathway for Australia to acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines and spearheaded efforts to strengthen AUKUS collaboration on AI, quantum technologies, and maritime systems. Previously, Denmark was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia, advising on pressing security challenges across China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan, and Mongolia. Denmark also led the Asia Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and held key positions at the National Bureau of Asian Research, the Center for a New American Security, and in the U.S. intelligence community.
TAG’s Defense & National Security Practice helps drive strategic outcomes, partnerships, and sales for the world’s leading defense companies. The firm will continue to build on its strong foundation and proven track record in developing and executing comprehensive go-to-market strategies and providing unique insights to navigate the complexities of the Indo-Pacific defense and security markets. With offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Tokyo, Hanoi, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Taipei, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and Washington, DC, TAG is uniquely positioned to offer real-time, in-market expertise that empowers clients to adapt and thrive in an evolving geopolitical, security, and business landscape.
“We are excited for TAG’s expanded Defense & National Security practice to drive our clients’ continued growth amidst the evolving geopolitical competition and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific,” said Ryu.
For more information, please visit www.theasiagroup.com or contact David Edwards at (202) 771-5222 or dedwards@keybridge.biz.
About The Asia Group
The Asia Group is the premier strategic advisory firm to the world’s leading companies seeking to excel across the Indo-Pacific. With a team of dynamic and experienced professionals — from consultants and former senior government officials to lawyers and investment bankers — The Asia Group supports companies with end-to-end integrated strategies for market entry and expansion.