07 June 2012

Editorial: Mongolia’s Khaan Quest 2012

By J. Berkshire Miller

This summer, Mongolia will host a number of countries for its annual gathering devoted to strengthening international cooperation and interoperability on peacekeeping initiatives abroad. The exercises, labelled “Khaan Quest,” have been held every year since 2003, and were initially started to bolster a regional approach to counterterrorism.

Last summer, the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) and the U.S. Pacific Command conducted a significant joint-training exercise during the gathering. However, the guest list has grown dramatically over the years, and no longer is a cluster of the G-8 and its regional allies. Khaan Quest has organically evolved into a defense gathering between Asia and the West rather than merely “Mongolia and friends.” This year, the exercise will see representatives from China and India as well as a host of developing nations such as Vietnam and Cambodia.
Read the full story at The Diplomat