Think Tank (6/2022)

Middle Powers in Asia Pacific Multilateralism: A Differential Framework

Sarah Teo

Drawing on insights from differentiation theory, this book examines the participation of middle powers in multilateralism. Taking Australia, Indonesia and South Korea as examples, the book examines these countries’ roles in regional organizations, and particularly during the creation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and East Asia Summit. Through its analysis, the book argues that middle powers pursue dilution of major power stratificatory forces, as well as functionally differentiated roles for themselves in multilateral diplomacy. The book sets out a valuable new framework to explain and understand the behaviour of middle powers in multilateralism.

Beyond the Handshake: Singapore’s Foreign Service

Lawrence Anderson

From independence in 1965, Singapore has experienced a meteoric rise to a modern developed city-state. What is less known is the part played by its foreign policy or by the men and women who contributed to its implementation and success. Here, several of Singapore's senior diplomats and Ambassadors tell in their own words, how they did their work, their experiences, their achievements and the challenges that they faced in promoting and safeguarding Singapore's strategic security and economic interests.

Gender and Security in Digital Space: Navigating Access, Harassment, and Disinformation

Gulizar Haciyakupoglu, Yasmine Wong

Digital space offers new avenues, opportunities, and platforms in the fight for gender equality, and for the social, economic, and political participation of women and marginalised communities. However, the very same space plays host to gender inequalities and security threats with gendered implications. This edited volume ventures into complexities at the intersection of gender, security, and digital space, with a particular focus on the persistent problems of access, harassment, and disinformation. Scholars and practitioners in this volume tackle various facets of the issue, presenting an array of research, experiences, and case studies that span the globe. This knowledge lends itself to potential policy considerations in tackling inequalities and threats with gendered implications in cyber space towards digital spaces that are safe and equal. This book is a must-read for students, scholars, and practitioners seeking to expand their knowledge on the gendered threats in digital space and potential remedies against them.

Chinese Regionalism in Asia: Beyond the Belt and Road Initiative

Hoo Tiang Boon, Jared Morgan Mckinney

With globalization on the wane in a world fractured by growing great power competition, Hoo and McKinney argue that regionalism is likely to re-emerge as a focal area of significance and interest in the coming years. In Asia, how regionalism evolves is inescapably linked to China’s part in this story. Hoo, McKinney and their contributors will help readers better understand regionalism as it is approached, conceived and practiced by China. Looking past the conventional attention on the Belt-Road Initiative, the contributors examine the evolving perspectives on regionalism within China, the forms which this regionalism has taken and the implications for the strategic order in Asia. This includes a focus on newer architecture such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB); lesser-known mechanisms such as the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC); and more traditional ones such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). A valuable resource for scholars and students of China’s foreign relations, and of Asian regionalism and strategic order.