Research / Country and Area Studies

IDSS research also includes studies of countries that could have an impact on regional security and stability through their domestic developments and foreign policies. Such work is currently being done through the China Programme, Indonesia Programme, Malaysia Programme, South Asia Programme and United States Programme.

China Programme
Coordinator: Dr. Li Mingjiang

The programme aims to accomplish three major objectives: 1) to provide analyses of China’s strategic thinking and behaviours; 2) to contribute to better understanding of specific Chinese foreign and security policies; 3) to train professionals who desire to understand the subjects related to China’s international relations. The programme differentiates three levels of analysis (or impact) when trying to understand China’s strategic thinking and behaviours: 1) those with global implications and consequences; 2) those with regional implications and consequences, and 3) those with mostly bilateral implications and consequences. Such a ladder of different levels provides us with a perspective on priorities. In accordance with the above objectives and research agenda, the programme has in recent years carried out research projects on China’s participation in global institutions, China’s role in global governance, China’s soft power strategy in international politics, the impact of China’s rise on its neighbouring regions, China and the strategic dynamics in East Asia, China-ASEAN sub-regional cooperation, Civil-military relations in China, China’s military modernization and military industry, the domestic context of China’s foreign policy-making, and China and maritime security in East Asia.

Indonesia Programme
Coordinator: Associate Professor Leonard Sebastian

The programme focuses on three priority areas. First, it conducts innovative research on issues pertaining to Indonesia of relevance to Singapore and to make an impact on international academic scholarship on Indonesia thereby establishing IDSS/RSIS as a new research focal point to rival long established research programmes in Australia, the Netherlands and the United States. Second, it contributes to IDSS/RSIS teaching curriculum by offering quality graduate courses for NTU students enrolled in various MSc teaching programmes. Third, it undertakes policy reviews and briefings to assist IDSS/RSIS stakeholders and the policy community to better understand the complex changes taking place in post-Suharto Indonesia. At the regional level, the goal is to network with academic and policy institutions in Indonesia to deepen linkages and engage in collaborative research with mutually compatible international institutions interested in modern Indonesia, specifically, post-Suharto Indonesia.

Visit the website at http://www.rsis.edu.sg/Indonesia_Prog/

Malaysia Programme
Coordinator: Mr. Raja Segaran Arumugam

The programme’s objective is to develop an in-depth understanding of trends in Malaysia that would likely to have implications, not only for social and political configurations in the country, but also for the stability of the region and the security of Singapore. Its research agenda includes the following elements. First, it undertakes independent studies on social and political trends in Malaysia, focusing primarily on the evolving relationship between the Malay and non-Malay communities. Second, it analyzes the politics and policies of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and its member parties, and those of key opposition parties, the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) and the Pakatan Rakyat (PR). Third, it directs field studies on local politics and economics in Johor and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak). Fourth, it commissions suitable institutions/experts to undertake third-party research projects and studies. Fifth, it facilitates and assists the training of government officers and agencies. Sixth, it seeks to develop institutional capacity in academic as well as policy-relevant research and education in various aspects of Malaysian affairs.

South Asia Programme
Coordinator: Dr. Rajesh Basrur

The primary thrust of this programme is on the emergence of India as an economic, political and security power and its strategic impact on the Asian and global security order. The programme conceptualizes India’s external relations within three interacting systems: the Subcontinental (South Asia), the Continental (Asia and Indian Ocean) and the Global systems. The central focus is on the military modernization of India, its potential strategic implications for Asia and the international system, and subcontinental and extra-regional responses to India’s rise to the growing competition between India and China. Associated areas that the programme is focusing on are: 1) subconventional threats to national and regional security and their prevention; 2) the strategic impact of civil-military relations on national and regional security; 3) regional responses to global efforts at disarmament; and 4) the growing importance of newer areas of tension, notably inter-state water disputes.

United States Programme
Coordinator: Dr. Joey Long

The United States has long been at the core of a complicated and thick web of political, economic, military, and social relationships in the Asia-Pacific. In what direction and with what intensity Washington had been and is engaging the region are critical questions to consider in thinking through the broader questions of security, order, and stability in Asia over the medium and long term. The programme was established to advance understanding of U.S. behaviour and engagement in the region by: 1) conducting and publishing scholarly and policy studies on U.S. security policies and strategy toward Asia and the Pacific from long-term and comparative perspectives; 2) offering graduate and professional education to career and prospective policymakers in subjects related to U.S. diplomacy, security strategy, and history; and 3) forming and promoting professional networks between the RSIS and influential thinkers and practitioners who contribute to the debate on Asia-U.S. interactions as well as organizing public talks and seminars on American-centred topics.