The Indo-Pacific is a vast biogeographic region of Earth that comprises the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, the western and central Pacific Ocean, and the seas. It is a region of growing geopolitical importance, with governments around the world determining that the next major geopolitical shift will emerge and be decided in the Indo-Pacific. The concept of the Indo-Pacific itself, which is centered around the Indian and Pacific Oceans, did not initially include conversations with the islands on either side of the oceans. However, the geography of island nations across the Indian and Pacific Oceans place them at the strategic crossroads of the region. The Indo-Pacific region represents significant opportunities for growing the economy, as well as opportunities for workers and businesses for decades to come. The Indo-Pacific is also a heavily militarized region, with seven of the worlds ten largest standing militaries and five of the worlds declared nuclear nations.