US-Mongolia Think Tank Dialogue: Interests, Gaps, and Engagements

Think Mongol Institute, in partnership with the Embassy of Mongolia to the U.S., is hosting a dialogue in Washington, D.C., bringing together leading American foreign policy thinkers, regional experts, and practitioners for a candid exchange on Mongolia’s place in U.S. strategic thinking.

As a democratic, landlocked country situated between Russia and China, Mongolia holds a unique geopolitical position that remains underleveraged in Washington’s policy discourse. This dialogue is intended to gather external perspectives to better understand how Mongolia is perceived, identify gaps in engagement, and explore ways to strengthen the relationship.

At the core of the evening is a moderated dialogue with invited experts from Washington’s leading think tanks, policy institutions, and academia. Think Mongol will pose a set of open questions to the speakers, drawing out their candid views on how Mongolia is perceived in Washington and where the gaps lie. Illustrative discussion threads include:

Mongolia in Washington’s Strategic Landscape

• How is Mongolia currently perceived within U.S. regional and global policy frameworks?
• What opportunities exist to elevate Mongolia’s strategic presence?

Lessons from Peer Countries

• How are peer countries navigating engagement with Washington?
• What lessons can Mongolia draw from these approaches?

Pathways for Practical Cooperation

• Which areas of U.S.–Mongolia cooperation remain underdeveloped?
• What concrete opportunities can be advanced in the near to medium term?

The objective is to generate insights that inform Mongolia's long-term Washington strategy, grounded in how American practitioners and experts actually see the relationship today.