THINK TANK
Think Tank (2/2024)
HIGHLIGHT
Defining the State of Security in Uncertain Conditions

National security practitioners and experts participated in the 2024 Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO). They discussed the theme of “Defining the State of Security in Uncertain Conditions: Lessons and Responses” at the programme held from 15 to 19 April ...

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RECENT BOOKS BY STAFF
Food Security Issues in Asia
Asia is not only the largest producer of important food items like rice and vegetable oil, but also the largest importer of commodities like soybeans and corn. Additionally, more than half the world's population lives in Asia and thus the largest number of food insecure people are also in Asia. Food security is therefore a matter of paramount importance in Asia. This is the only book of its kind that will explore the range of important issues affecting food security in Asia since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights include discussions on the current state of production on food of vital importance to Asia such as rice, vegetable and fish, as well as information on their future trends in production and consumption. Two case studies are presented on how the two most populous countries in Asia — China and India — have tackled their food security. Topics which are an integral part of food security and not often addressed in a food security book include nutrition security, novel foods and food waste valorization. This is also the only book about Asian food security which will include specific chapters on the technologies that are likely to determine the future of food security in Asia, as exemplified by digital technology, biotechnology, physical technology like recirculating aquaculture systems, nutrition enhancing technology, and urban agriculture. Organized into four themes, the issues captured here are of special importance to Asian decision makers in policy, research, development, investment and education in the "new normal" post-pandemic. As Asia is inextricably linked to the global food and trading systems, Food Security Issues in Asia will also be of interest to those outside the Asian region who need to understand Asian food security. Watch the book launch here:
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A Research Agenda for Far-Right Violence and Extremism
This prescient Research Agenda offers an in-depth understanding of the increasing trend of far right-inspired political violence. As domestic extremism becomes a critical priority for governments worldwide, editors Rohan Gunaratna and Katalin Pethö-Kiss scrutinize the threat landscape and analyze far-right groups in countries of the greatest concern.
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ICPVTR is 20!
On 25 March 2024, the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) at RSIS commemorated its 20th anniversary as a centre focused on better understanding the challenges and complexities related to politically motivated violence and terrorism. ICPVTR sta ...
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Everyday Multiculturalism
As the world gravitates to increased cultural plurality and contestations, it is an opportune time for society to reflect on how our connections with the social “others” can be forged and strengthened. On 26 March 2024, a webinar explored this notion and looked at the concept of everyday multi ...
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Biosecurity, International Security in Asia Centre for Health Security
RSIS is participating in the Asia Centre for Health Security (ACHS), launched on 17 April 2024. The ACHS will be a new Singapore-based academic think tank that will prepare Asia for current and emerging biological threats and safeguard the health of our communities. The new centre is de ...
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RSIS at the ISA Convention 2024
RSIS hosted a vibrant social reception on the first night of the International Studies Association (ISA) Annual Convention which was held in San Francisco, USA, on 3 April 2024. The reception, aimed at enhancing RSIS’ global presence, was attended by more than 80 scholars from around the world ...
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Post-2024 General Elections and Indonesia 2045 Vision: Strategic Challenges and Opportunities
Discussing the implications of the 2024 General Elections and the country’s 2045 Vision, the Indonesia Programme conducted a webinar titled “Post-2024 General Elections and Indonesia 2045 Vision: Strategic Challenges and Opportunities” on 15 March 2024. It also examined the geopolitical ...
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Australia’s Role in the Indo-Pacific
The RSIS Distinguished Public Lecture by Professor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global, Culture and Engagement at the University of Melbourne; took place on 8 March 2024. Dr Mely Caballero-Anthony, Professor of International Relations and Associate Dean (International Engagement), mo ...
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Japan’s Position in the World
The RSIS Distinguished Public Lecture by Professor Kitaoka Shinichi, Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo and Rikkyo University, and Special Advisor to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); was held on 19 March 2024. Professor Kumar Ramakrishna, Dean of R ...
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Anti-Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference 2024
The Anti-Piracy and Sea Robbery Conference 2024 was held on the sidelines of the Singapore Maritime Week on 16 April 2024. The annual conference was jointly organised by ReCAAP ISC, the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA), INTERTANKO, and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS ...
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Psychology of Defeat: Advancing Theory and Strategy to Protect the State Against Communist Terrorist Groups
In his webinar on the “Psychology of Defeat: Advancing Theory and Strategy to Protect the State Against Communist Terrorist Groups”, held on 4 Apr 2024, Colonel Jo-ar Herrera, Chief of the Public Affairs Division of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Relations in the Armed Forces of ...
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Non-White Involvement in White Supremacism
“Non-White Involvement in White Supremacism” was the theme of a webinar held on 21 March 2024 by the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR). Dr Lydia Khalil, Project Director at the Lowy Institute and Senior Research Fellow at Deakin University, discussed f ...
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Reformasi, Perpaduan, Madani: Anwar Ibrahim’s Search for a Sense of Common Purpose
The political journey of Anwar Ibrahim from the Reformasi to his present role as Prime Minister of the unity government that seeks a remedial alternative to the excesses in Malaysian politics of the previous two decades, was discussed at the seminar on 21 March 2024. Dr Ooi Kee Beng, th ...
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Recent Developments in Japan's Security and Foreign Policy
RSIS hosted a seminar by Professor Kitaoka Shinichi , S. Rajaratnam Visiting Professor of Strategic Studies, Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo and Rikkyo University, and Special Advisor to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); on 14 March 2024. Delving ...
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Japan and Southeast Asia
Professor Kitaoka Shinichi, S. Rajaratnam Visiting Professor of Strategic Studies, Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo and Rikkyo University, and Special Advisor to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); delivered an RSIS Seminar titled “Japan and Southea ...
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The Geopolitics of Knowledge
RSIS Distinguished Visitor, Professor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global, Culture and Engagement and Professor of Politics at the University of Melbourne; spoke at a seminar on 6 March 2024 titled “The Geopolitics of Knowledge”. The seminar focused on examining the nexus between the ...
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Quantum Sensing and Future Warfare
As part of a regular series of events that aims to highlight where emerging technologies could potentially change the character of future warfare, the Military Transformations Programme held a virtual roundtable on 6 March 2024 on the topic of “Quantum Sensing and Future Warfare.” Quant ...
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Philosophical Encounters: Islam and the Religious Other
The Studies in Interreligious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme at RSIS held a webinar titled “Philosophical Encounters: Islam and the Religious Other”, on 6 March 2024. Attended by around 55 participants, the webinar engaged in a rich discussion of Islam’s encounter with the relig ...
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Navigating Global Challenges: ASEAN’s Responses to the Changing Strategic and Economic Landscape
How can ASEAN’s regional cooperation initiatives thrive amid an uncertain and dynamic geopolitical environment? The Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS) of RSIS explored this question in its annual workshop held on 29 February 2024. This year’s workshop consisted of three panel discussions ...
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Navigating Uncertain Internal Political Dynamics and Intensifying Geopolitical Competition
How does the nexus between internal and external political dynamics affect a country’s foreign policy strategy? Dr Marty Natalegawa, RSIS Distinguished Visiting Fellow and former Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, explored this question in a seminar held on 28 February 2024, which was cha ...
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Shifting Landscapes - Mapping the Implications of Radicalism and Terrorism on Global Security
Traditional notions of terrorism have shifted, giving rise to emerging threats exacerbated by societal changes and advancements in technology.  Moreover, the scope of radicalism has expanded, including diversification across ideological spectrums. Emerging technology has profoundly impacted th ...
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REAIM Regional Consultations Workshop
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) hosted the inaugural Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Military Domain (REAIM) Regional Consultations (Asia), in partnership with the Netherlands and Republic of Korea, on 26 and 27 February 2024. RSIS’ Military Transformations Programme c ...
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EDITOR
Kelyn Tng
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Adrian Chong
CONTRIBUTORS
Adhi Priamarizki
Amanda Huan
Gilang Kembara
Jasminder Singh S/O Bilveer Singh
Kevin Chen Xian An
Sarah Soh
Adlini Ilma Ghaisany Sjah
Antara Chakraborthy
Iftekharul Bashar
Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros
Manoj Harjani
Sean Tan
Alif Satria
David Han Guo Xiong
Januar Pratama
Jose Miguelito Enriquez
Muhammad Haziq Bin Jani