THINK TANK
Think Tank (2/2023)
HIGHLIGHT
Will the Worsening of China-US Relations Continue?

On 6 April 2023, Professor Wang Jisi, Founding President of the Institute of International and Strategic Studies at Peking University, delivered the Ngee Ann Kongsi-RSIS Distinguished Public Lecture on “Will the Worsening of China-US Relations Continue?” Prof Wang discussed the trajectory of China-US relations in the last decade and analysed it in four dimensions:

  • China’s dome ...
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RECENT BOOKS BY STAFF
Asian Military Evolutions: Civil-Military Relations in Asia
This book explores civil–military relations in Asia. With chapters on individual countries in the region, it provides a comprehensive account of the range of contemporary Asian practices under conditions of abridged democracy, soft authoritarianism or complete totalitarianism. Through its analysis, the book argues that civil–military relations in Asia ought to be examined under the concept of ‘Asian military evolutions’. It demonstrates that while Asian militaries have tried to incorporate standard, Western-derived frameworks of civil–military relations, it has been necessary to adapt such frameworks to suit local circumstances. The book reveals how this has in turn led to creative fusions and novel changes in making civil–military relations an asset to furthering national security objectives.
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Perspectives on Countering Extremism: Diversion and Disengagement
The study of violent extremism in the wake of ISIS has largely been devoted to the process of radicalization and strategies to counter and de-radicalize extremists. However, little has been written on the subject of Diversion – early, upstream interventions aimed at deflecting individuals from a pathway of radicalization.
This volume addresses this gap in scholarship by analysing the Diversion strategies being deployed worldwide, aimed at diverting or deflecting individuals, and communities, from the path of radicalization. These include Diversion methods used among social workers, teachers, counselors and the police both in relation to individuals and communities. Case studies range across the Global North and South, presented by both academic and practitioner contributors, and address different branches of radicalization, the variety of strategies used as Diversion, and the results of these interventions.
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Reassessing Lee Kuan Yew’s Strategic Thought
Ang Cheng Guan book quote Building on the author’s 2012 book, Lee Kuan Yew’s Strategic Thought, this new book presents a comprehensive overview of Lee Kuan Yew’s strategic thought over the course of his entire life. It analyses the factors underlying Lee Kuan Yew’s thinking, discusses his own writings and speeches, and shows how his thinking on foreign policy, security and international relations evolved. It also appraises writing about Lee Kuan Yew and memorialisation of him, assessing how views of his legacy have changed and continue to change.
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The AI Wave in Defence Innovation Assessing Military Artificial Intelligence Strategies, Capabilities, and Trajectories
Raska book 3 An international and interdisciplinary perspective on the adoption and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in defence and military innovation by major and middle powers. Advancements in AI and ML pose pressing questions related to evolving conceptions of military power, compliance with international humanitarian law, peace promotion, strategic stability, arms control, future operational environments, and technology races. To navigate the breadth of this AI and international security agenda, the contributors to this book include experts on AI, technology governance, and defence innovation to assess military AI strategic perspectives from major and middle AI powers alike. These include views of how the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and Russia see AI/ML as a technology with the potential to reshape military affairs and power structures in the broader international system. This diverse set of views aims to help elucidate key similarities and differences between AI powers in the evolving strategic context. A valuable read for scholars of security studies, public policy, and STS studies with an interest in the impacts of AI and ML technologies.
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Beijing’s National Security Strategy After the 20th Communist Party Congress
Professor Wang Jisi, Founding President of the Institute of International and Strategic Studies at Peking University, spoke about “Beijing’s National Security Strategy After the 20th Communist Party Congress” at an RSIS seminar on 3 April 2023. It was moderated by Associate Professor Hoo Tiang ...
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RSIS Trilateral Exchange – US-China Relations: The Future of International Order
On 21 April 2023, RSIS, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Peking University (PKU) held a trilateral exchange on “US-China Relations: The Future of international Order.” The exchange sought to understand the impact of US-China competition on the international order a ...
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Progress of and Prospects for the Peace Talks in Thailand’s Far South
The International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) hosted a seminar on the long-running ethnonationalist insurgency in Thailand’s Deep South on 12 April 2023. Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn, Government’s Special Envoy on the South and Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Sec ...
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Beyond the Handshake: Singapore’s Foreign Service
RSIS, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s (MFA) Diplomatic Academy, held a book launch for “Beyond the Handshake: Singapore’s Foreign Service” on 29 March 2023. The launch featured Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman as the Guest of Honour, and also ...
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Crisis of the Social: Faultlines, (Un)Truths, and Manipulation
The Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) organised a workshop on 23 and 24 March 2023 titled “Crisis of the Social: Faultlines, (Un)Truths, and Manipulation,” with the support of the National Security Coordination Secretariat (NSCS) of Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Offi ...
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Challenges in Cyber and Digital Transition for Navies
In an RSIS Seminar held on 22 March 2023, Dr Nicolas Mazzucchi, Research Director at the French Navy Center for Strategic Studies, expounded on digital and cyber as emerging security challenges in the maritime domain. He attributed these to a few global trends. Firstly, digital transformation ...
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Globalisation of Hindu Nationalism
The Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme (SRP) held a webinar on 21 March 2023 titled “Understanding the Globalisation of Hindu Nationalism.” Moderated by the President of Hindu Centre (Singapore), Dr N. Varaprasad, the panel featured two experts on the subject: D ...
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Hybrid Threats to Submarine Communications Cables, and the use of Digital Technology in Hybrid Conflict
Dr Camino Kavanagh was invited by the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) under its Visitor Programme (VP) to conduct two seminars titled “Hybrid Threats to Submarine Communications Cables, and Mitigation Strategies” and “Use of Digital Technologies in Hybrid Conflict in Ukraine” ...
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Asia Pacific Regional Politics and Security
RSIS hosted a roundtable on 14 March 2023, with visitors from National Security College (NSC) of the Australian National University. Deputy Director of IDSS, Mr Adrian Tan; Professor Joseph Liow, Dean of College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at NTU and RSIS research adviser; Associa ...
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The Cold War in Asia
“The Cold War in Asia” was the topic of a professional development webinar jointly organised by the National Studies Programme (NSSP) at RSIS and the Humanities Branch of the Curriculum Planning & Development Division at the Ministry of Education (MOE) for secondary school and Junior Colle ...
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The Domestic Evolution and Global Expansion of Chinese State-Owned Enterprises
On 2 March 2023, RSIS hosted a seminar on “The Domestic Evolution and Global Expansion of Chinese State-Owned Enterprises.” It was organised and chaired by Dr Stefanie Kam, Research Fellow at the China Programme, IDSS. The speaker, Dr Wendy Leutert, Assistant Professor at Indiana University in ...
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Soft Power, Islam, and Religiosity – Perspectives from the Middle East
On 28 February 2023, the Studies in Interreligious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme held a webinar titled “Soft Power, Islam, and Religiosity – Perspectives from the Middle East”. The webinar, conducted by SRP, saw 54 participants. It was part of an ongoing research project called ...
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Indonesia and Vietnam Between the US-China Tech Competition
“Indonesia and Vietnam between the US-China Tech Competition” was the focus of an online workhop organised by RSIS on 24 February 2023. It brought  together experts from Indonesia and Vietnam to take stock of the US-China tech competition and its impact on the technology sector in both countri ...
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Extremism in 2023 and Beyond – A Webinar Series
Over the course of three webinars, the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) at RSIS brought together leading experts to discuss the issue of extremism in 2023 and beyond. The first webinar on 18 January 2023 discussed “Global and Local Terrorism: Evolutions 2023 and Beyond” ...
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India-China: From Hope to Despair
On February 23 2023, the South Asia Programme at RSIS hosted Mr Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury, the diplomatic affairs editor for The Economic Times, a leading Indian daily, who gave a public lecture on India’s relationship with China over the past two decades, and the impact of the Ladakh standoff in ...
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Resilience and Change: ASEAN in a Fracturing World
The workshop “Resilience and Change: ASEAN in a Fracturing World”, held on 22 February 2023, discussed trends and proposed ways for ASEAN to strategically navigate current tensions and uncertainties.  It was organised by the Centre for Multilateralism Studies. The first panel, consistin ...
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The Regional Maritime Security Outlook 2023 - And Launch of Book in Memory of Dr Sam Bateman
Experts came together at the annual Regional Maritime Security Conference held on 2-3 February 2023. In memory of Dr Sam Bateman, RSIS also launched a new book titled “Maritime Cooperation and Security in the Indo-Pacific Region: Essays in Honour of Sam Bateman.” The book was done by the IDSS ...
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Most Read RSIS Commentaries
The RSIS Commentary contributes views to public discourse on international affairs, with a focus on international affairs relating to the Asia Pacific region, ranging from security and politics to climate change and non-traditional security.
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Most Read RSIS Policy Reports
The Policy Reports offer the reader with policy recommendations for various levels – from policymakers and decision-makers in governments, to international organisations, academic institutions, think tanks, civil societies, commercial sectors, and the media.
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EDITOR
Kelyn Tng
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Adrian Chong
CONTRIBUTORS
Abigail Leong
Anthony Toh Han Yang
Jefferson Ng Jin Chuan
Muhammad Haziq Bin Jani
Rahmat Wadidi
Sean Tan
Acmal Zuheyr Iefan Bin Abdul Wahid
Cai Yuqian
John Bradford
Nazia Hussain
Sarah Soh
Xue Gong
Antara Chakraborthy
Collin Koh Swee Lean
Kevin Chen Xian An
Nishant Rajeev
Sean Tan
Yasmine Wong