The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as the centre of gravity, a major hub of global economic/commercial, military, diplomatic and cultural activities in the 21st century. A hub has the potential to affect questions of war and peace. Here competitive armed strength is in play with potentially dangerous consequences along with powerful economic and market forces, and the players are involved in diplomatic contests and the use of cultural diplomacy to affect attitudes and policies in the region and beyond. The players in this arena have expanded the scope and significance of this region in comparison to other regions (e.g. Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America). The game changers in world politics today – the rule makers and the organizers of new playbooks – are to be found in the IndoPacific world. The vital signs that signal the growing importance of this region include: