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RSIS encourages a culture of collaboration and networking amongst staff. This page of ongoing research projects is continually updated with the progress of existing projects, and the launch of new ones.
This collation of ongoing projects was previously produced as hard copies, which can be accessed as PDF versions HERE.
IDSS (7)
NTS (10)
CENS (1)
CMS (4)
ICPVTR (3)
NSSP (0)
STSP (0)
SRP (9)
OTHERS (8)
An Assessment of Approaches to Converging Risks during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dr Alistair D. B. Cook Senior Fellow and Coordinator of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Programme
Mr Christopher Chen Associate Research Fellow
This project intends to assess the effectiveness of crisis preparedness and response mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific region during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to evaluate the current state of the humanitarian landscape and its resiliency in dealing with simultaneous crises (disaster and pandemic happening concurrently). More specifically, it will evaluate how countries, organisations, and communities have (or have not) adapted to converging risks with implications for civil-military partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. In doing so, this project will assess the emerging concept of "Strategic Resilience" to reduce vulnerabilities with a specific focus on the Indo-Pacific.
| Theme: | Non-Traditional Security |
| Region: | East Asia and Asia Pacific / South Asia / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Buddhist Nationalisms in South-East Asia: Implications for Plural Societies
Dr Rafal Stepien Assistant Professor and Deputy Coordinator of MSc (Asian Studies) Programme
This project aims to understand the dynamics of both religiously inspired violence and peaceful coexistence on the part of Buddhists vis-à-vis perceived religious others in South East Asia. On this twin basis, the project ultimately seeks to draft specific policy-relevant recommendations aimed at preventing and, if and when needed, countering religiously informed extremist nationalism in Singapore. In light of recent history and ongoing events, four national contexts in the region have been identified as of especial relevance to Singaporean concerns: Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia. For each context, study will be undertaken of the textual supports used in support of violence and/or peaceful coexistence. Fieldwork will also be undertaken so as both to construct a network of contacts in the region with whom to collaborate into the foreseeable future, and to conduct empirically-based data-gathering regarding the Buddhist sources used in support of interreligious violence and/o
| Theme: | Conflict and Stability / Country and Region Studies / Non-Traditional Security / Religion in Contemporary Society / Singapore and Homeland Security |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Climate Security in the Indo-Pacific: Strategic Implications for Defense and Foreign Affairs
Dr Alistair D. B. Cook Senior Fellow and Coordinator of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Programme
Ms S. Nanthini Senior Analyst
This project will gather perspectives from across the Indo-Pacific from selected countries to understand Climate Security from different vantage points to understand (i) its position within national discourse; (ii) interpretations of climate security from military and civilian actors; (iii) implications for wider regional engagement on climate security. This project will (i) conduct a roundtable discussion on Climate Security in the Indo-Pacific; (ii) invite selected academics and policy professionals to contribute Op-eds/commentaries from the region.
| Theme: | International Politics and Security / Non-Traditional Security / Regionalism and Multilateralism |
| Region: | East Asia and Asia Pacific / South Asia / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Cognitive Task Analysis and Historical Case Studies: A Method for Testing Cognitive Explanations of War Decision Making
Dr Pascal Vennesson Senior Fellow ; Head of Research, RSIS and Professor of Political Science, University Panthéon-Assas, Paris II (on leave)
Ms Wendy He Senior Analyst
Steven Robert Adam
In the last few decades, a new behavioral revolution has swept across the social sciences and led to a welcome expansion of experimental research in International Relations and Foreign Policy studies. However, outside of the laboratory, in the study of real-world political decisions scholars continue to face challenges to establish when cognitive effects occur and measure their strength. Building upon the work of cognitive psychologists who study individual mental processes in real world settings, the goal of this paper is to suggest guidelines for conducting cognitive task analysis (CTA) in foreign policy and war decisions case studies. We focus on the critical decision method (CDM), one of the most influential knowledge elicitation method to have emerged from CTA to help researchers probe and learn from specific incidents.
| Theme: | Conflict and Stability / General / International Politics and Security |
| Region: | Global |
Collective Responses to HADR
Dr Lina Gong Research Fellow
Ms S. Nanthini Senior Analyst
This project will examine the efforts of regional/subregional mechanisms/initiatives, such as ASEAN, ASEAN Regional Forum, Indian Ocean Rim Association, the Quad, Lancang Mekong Cooperation mechanism, and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, to move towards collective HADR efforts in times of disasters; assess how effective these efforts have been, particularly in the new security environment; and explore the factors that enable/constrain entities such as the RHCC to facilitate collective HADR responses.
| Theme: | Non-Traditional Security / Regionalism and Multilateralism |
| Region: | Central Asia / East Asia and Asia Pacific / South Asia / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Substantialism, Essentialism, Emptiness: Buddhist Critiques of Ontology
Dr Rafal Stepien Assistant Professor and Deputy Coordinator of MSc (Asian Studies) Programme
This project seeks to introduce a greater degree of precision into our understanding of Madhyamaka Buddhist ontological non-foundationalism, focussing specifically on the Madhyamaka founder Nāgārjuna (c. 150-250 CE). It distinguishes between four senses of what the “foundation” whose existence Mādhyamikas deny means; that is, i) as “something that stands under or grounds things” (a position known as generic substantialism); ii) as “a particular kind of basic entity” (specific substantialism); iii) as “an individual essence (a haecceity or thisness of that object) by means of which it is identical to that very object, to itself” (modal essentialism); and iv) as “an essence in the absence of which an object could be of a radically different kind or sort of object than it in fact is” (sortal essentialism).
| Theme: | General / Religion in Contemporary Society |
| Region: | Global / South Asia |
Tetralemma and Trinity: An Essay on Buddhist and Christian Ontologies
Dr Rafal Stepien Assistant Professor and Deputy Coordinator of MSc (Asian Studies) Programme
This project builds on the ontological claims espoused by two major Buddhist and Christian philosophers: Nāgārjuna (c. 150 – 250) and Hegel (1770 – 1831). It uses Nāgārjuna’s fourfold tetralemma (catuṣkoṭi) and Hegel’s threefold dialectic (Dialektik) to propose a novel understanding of the ontological status of the self in its relation to itself and to its other, the no-self. Thus, it applies the tetralemma to the self, arguing that, to attain ontic completion, the self must itself reflect the tetralemmic form in the totality of its being – nothing – both-being-and-nothing – neither-being-nor-nothing. These in turn correspond to the Hegelian in-itself, for-another, both-in-itself-and-for-another, and neither-in-itself-nor-for-another.
| Theme: | General / Religion in Contemporary Society |
| Region: | Europe / Global / South Asia |
Japanese Foreign Policy in an Era of US-China Competition: “Smart Power” Strategy
Dr Bhubhindar Singh Associate Professor and Head of Graduate Studies
Japan is faced with a serious strategic dilemma presented by the intensifying US-China strategic competition. On the one hand, it supports the maintenance of the status quo defined by the US hegemony and its related liberal internationalist features. Not only has the US-led order brought peace, stability and prosperity to Japan, it also served as a deterrent to the emergence of a Chinese-led order in East Asia. On the other hand, Japan is also concerned about the relative weakening of the US influence and power in the Indo-Pacific vis-à-vis China’s emergence as a peer competitor status to the US. This would mean a weakened US guarantee of Japan’s national security and greater likelihood of the emergence of a Chinese-led order in East Asia. This paper poses two questions: how is Japan responding to this dilemma caused by the intensifying US-China competition? And what type of foreign policy is Japan pursuing?
| Theme: | Conflict and Stability / Country and Region Studies / General |
| Region: | Americas / Central Asia / East Asia and Asia Pacific |
Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership: Baseline Study on regional collaborative arrangements in marine ecology in Southeast Asia
Dr Mely Caballero-Anthony Professor of International Relations and Head of Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies; President’s Chair in International Relations and Security Studies
Mr Julius Cesar Imperial Trajano Research Fellow
Dr Lina Gong Research Fellow
Ms Margareth Sembiring Associate Research Fellow
The objective of the Baseline Study is to identify opportunities for enhanced regional collaboration on marine ecology in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific with special focus on marine plastic pollution, Coral Triangle Initiatives, and maritime disaster response. This project is in collaboration with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the Chesterfield Lane Pty Ltd, Australia and the Observer Research Foundation in India. The overall purpose of the project is to undertake baseline studies of international cooperation arrangements in the area of marine ecology in the Indo-Pacific and to chart out proposals for potential regional collaboration arrangements in marine ecology for the Indian Ocean Region that can be supported by Australia and India.
| Theme: | Non-Traditional Security |
| Region: | East Asia and Asia Pacific / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
The Evolution of the Terrorism and Extremism Landscape in the Age of COVID-19
Dr Kumar Ramakrishna Associate Professor; and Provost’s Chair in National Security Studies and Associate Dean; Head of International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research; and Research Adviser to National Security Studies Programme
This book chapter examines how the transnational terrorism and extremism landscape has evolved since the so-called religiously-inspired wave that emerged most forcefully with the Al Qaeda attacks in New York and Washington in September 2001, and more recently continued by the virulent Al Qaeda offshoot Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) from the mid-2010s onwards. The chapter will show how not just violent Islamist extremism, but other forms, such as the Extreme Right, have gained momentum in recent years. It will explore the complex, interconnected ideological ecosystems – comprising key religious and political ideologues, educational and religious institutions as well as social media – that have sustained both Islamist extremist and Extreme Right violence, before finally highlighting the key elements of the strategically dexterous approach needed for coping with such rapidly mutating threats.
| Theme: | Conflict and Stability / International Politics and Security / Terrorism Studies |
| Region: | Global / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Countering Health-Related Misinformation
Dr Gulizar Haciyakupoglu Research Fellow
Dr Gulizar Haciyakupoglu, Research Fellow at CENS, has received a partial funding of US$8,300 from the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) Faculty Fund. Collaborating with Asst Prof D.J. Flynn and Asst Prof Nina Wiesehomeier of IE University in Spain, the joint research project examines best measures to counter misinformation, including health-related misinformation, in the United States and India. The study, which will be completed in 2021, seeks to aid the efforts of policymakers in combating misinformation.
| Theme: | Cybersecurity, Biosecurity and Nuclear Safety / General |
| Region: | Americas / Global / South Asia |
Interests, Ideology and Great Power Spheres of Influence
Dr Evan Resnick Assistant Professor and Coordinator of MSc (International Relations) Programme
Asst Prof Evan Resnick, Coordinator of MSc (International Relations) Programme at RSIS, has received the Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 1 grant of $37,000. The three-year grant will be directed towards the completion of a book manuscript that looks into an area not well-studied in International Relations, i.e., the phenomenon of great power spheres of influence.
| Theme: | Conflict and Stability / General / International Politics and Security |
| Region: | Global |
Germany and Europe in the Indo-Pacific: Balancing Economic and Strategic Interests
Dr Frederick Kliem Research Fellow
With its Indo-Pacific Guidelines, Germany demonstrated determination to overcome its reluctance to engage in foreign and security policy beyond its neighbourhood. This research project will anlayse Berlin’s strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region, its opportunities and limitations. Germany’s hard power capabilities are limited. But Berlin seeks to capitalise on its strength by contributing to the region’s multilateral architecture and working with local partners on non-traditional security challenges. Strategically, especially pertaining to China, Berlin faces manifold challenges: it must balance national interests with the demands of a normatively conscious public and an industrial lobby that seeks economic opportunities; the US seeks to instrumentalise Germany’s China policy; and Berlin must embed its approach within a European framework and reconcile own objectives with a diverse set of EU partners. Deliverables include a book and several seminars and papers.
| Theme: | Conflict and Stability / Country and Region Studies / General / International Politics and Security / Maritime Security / Non-Traditional Security / Regionalism and Multilateralism |
| Region: | East Asia and Asia Pacific / Europe / South Asia / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Understanding the Dynamic of Southeast Asians in the Detention Camps in Syria
Dr Noor Huda Ismail Visiting Fellow
The project aims to identity Southeast Asians who are now in the Syrian camps, map their network and design the possible ways of how to deal with them that include legal prosecution and social integration.
| Theme: | Terrorism Studies |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
From Climate Change to Post COVID-19: The Corrupting Influence of Cultural Assertiveness and Geopolitics
Dr Victor R Savage Adjunct Senior Fellow
This article is based on the current challenges facing many countries internationally. Besides the China-US hegemonic tussle, climate change and Covid-19 are likely to undergird international relations around the world. Both these issues create tensions between states and they could become areas of international cooperation as well. As the problems arising from climate change and Covid-19 unfold, the global community needs to find various adaptive mechanisms to circumvent these problems while at the same time looking for long-term solutions.
| Theme: | Non-Traditional Security |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
ASEAN Disaster Resilience Outlook
Dr Alistair D. B. Cook Senior Fellow and Coordinator of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Programme
Mr Christopher Chen Associate Research Fellow
Dr Lina Gong Research Fellow
Ms S. Nanthini Senior Analyst
The NTS Centre's HADR Programme was awarded a US$30,000 grant from the ASEAN Secretariat to develop the "ASEAN Disaster Resilience Outlook (2021) – ASEAN’s Journey for a Disaster Resilience Region”. The ASEAN Disaster Resilience Outlook is a mid-term review of the ASEAN Vision 2025 on disaster management and is scheduled to be launched at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management in late 2021.
| Theme: | Non-Traditional Security |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Policy Review of the Current Status of Digital Technology Utilisation in the Agricultures Sector for Enhancing Food Supply Chain Resilience in ASEAN
Dr Mely Caballero-Anthony Professor of International Relations and Head of Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies; President’s Chair in International Relations and Security Studies
Dr Paul Teng Professor and Adjunct Senior Fellow
Mr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros Research Fellow
This study aims to review the current utilisation of digital technology for improving agricultural productivity and enhancing the resilience of food supply chains in ASEAN Member States. It seeks to propose future policy directions at the country level and regional level, through a potential road map for policy-enabled technology adaptation, as inputs into ASEAN guidelines for digital agriculture. Policy instruments to farm part of this may include those falling within agriculture sector domains, as well as other associated, cross-sectoral applications in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy, trade policy, and other policies that enhance digitalisation of agricultural production through existing and evolving technologies, e-commerce platforms, digital financing for inclusive development, and food supply chain resilience.
| Theme: | Country and Region Studies / International Political Economy / Non-Traditional Security / Regionalism and Multilateralism |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
At the Cusp of a Transformation: Reforming Defence for Increased Military Effectiveness
Dr Anit Mukherjee Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Graduate Studies
This proposed book chapter in an edited volume examines the measures to enhance the effectiveness of the Indian military. It begins with a short discussion about India’s current strategic scenario emphasising the challenges posed by the rise of China, amidst constraints posed by tightening budgetary outlays. Next, the chapter engages with the concept of military effectiveness, disaggregating it into three levels—strategic, operational and defence industry. The next section explains the problems at these three levels. Thereafter, the chapter describes some of the recent changes in India’s higher defence organisation to argue that it is currently at the cusp of a significant military transformation. The penultimate section explains the measures that can be undertaken to attain such a transformation, building on these reform initiatives. In conclusion, the chapter discusses the importance of political management of the military.
| Theme: | Country and Region Studies / International Politics and Security |
| Region: | Global / South Asia |
Chinese Aid and Labor Rights in Developing Countries
Dr Su-Hyun Lee Assistant Professor and Coordinator of MSc (International Political Economy) Programme
A burgeoning literature has examined the political and economic implications of Chinese aid in developing countries, given its structural differences from official development aid (ODA). Nevertheless, scant attention has been paid to the effects of China’s development finance on labor other than anecdotal evidence. This study seeks to fill this gap by identifying the mechanisms under which Chinese development finance affects labor rights in recipient countries. Chinese aid might increase levels of respect for labor rights if development projects focus on industrial sectors that promote public goods provision and developmental outcomes. In contrast, Chinese aid may adversely affect labor rights, serving as sources of additional tax revenues. Recipient governments are less likely to respond to the collective demands of labor, especially when the Chinese government seeks to curry favour with recipient governments for its strategic interests. The paper tests these hypotheses, using AidData
| Theme: | Country and Region Studies / General / International Political Economy / Regionalism and Multilateralism |
| Region: | Africa / Central Asia / South Asia / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
How Much Yuan Is a Seat on the Security Council Worth? Chinese Foreign Aid and Lobbying at the United Nations
Dr Su-Hyun Lee Assistant Professor and Coordinator of MSc (International Political Economy) Programme
This is a research project in collaboration with Prof Byungwon Woo at Yonsei University, South Korea. Does China use its foreign aid to buy supports from non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)? In this paper, we investigate whether and to what extent China utilizes its foreign aid politically at the UNSC. We argue that China disburses more aid to non-permanent members of the Security Council, especially to those who seem neutral a priori: compared to countries expected to support the Chinese position and countries expected to support the US position, those swing countries who can switch their position in support of China and the US are the ones who would witness the largest aid increase during their service at the UNSC. Using Chinese aid data between 2000 and 2014 by AidData, we demonstrate that Chinese aid increases in general when a country is elected to serve at the UNSC and especially when a country is deemed politically neutral between China and the US
| Theme: | Country and Region Studies / General / International Political Economy / Regionalism and Multilateralism |
| Region: | Africa / Central Asia / South Asia / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Religious Hatred: Prejudice, Anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia in Global Perspective
Dr Paul Hedges Associate Professor
Hate speech and violence associated with prejudice towards both Jews and Muslims appears to be on the rise in many parts of the globe. But what drivers are behind this, what links these forms of hatred, and how far is religion a factor in such hatred? Providing both historical, conceptual, and analytic perspectives, this project will explore the forms and practice of prejudice and violence enacted against Jews, Muslims, and others throughout history, with a particular focus on Anti-Semitic and Islamophobic prejudice. Various papers and articles are envisaged as outputs, with the main output being the book, Religious Hatred: Islamophobia and Antisemitism in Global Context, published with Bloomsbury Academic in early 2021. There is also a plan to develop an undergraduate course in this region in cooperation with CoHASS.
| Theme: | Religion in Contemporary Society / Singapore and Homeland Security / Terrorism Studies |
| Region: | Americas / Europe / Global / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Middle Powers in Asia Pacific Multilateralism: A Differential Framework
Dr Sarah Teo Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Regional Security Architecture Programme, IDSS
Middle powers and multilateralism are often regarded as concepts that go well together, but what makes middle powers behave the way they do in multilateral platforms? Drawing from insights offered by differentiation theory and power politics, this book puts forth a new framework to explain middle power behaviour in multilateralism. This differentiation-based theoretical framework is applied to the behaviour of Australia, Indonesia and South Korea in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the East Asia Summit.
| Theme: | International Politics and Security / Regionalism and Multilateralism |
| Region: | East Asia and Asia Pacific / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
China and its Closest Strategic Allies
Dr Hoo Tiang Boon Associate Professor and Coordinator of China Programme, IDSS; Coordinator of MSc (Asian Studies) Programme
Asst Prof Hoo Tiang Boon, Coordinator of the MSc (Asian Studies) Programme at RSIS, has received the MOE AcRF Tier 1 grant of $79,730 for a research project titled “Inner Circle: A Study of China's Relations with its Closest Strategic Allies." This project seeks to better understand the nature and substance of China’s relationship with its closest strategic allies in global politics. In particular, it investigates two key puzzles: Who are China’s closest strategic allies in global politics, and what is the extent of these countries’ alignment with China? Conceptually, the project introduces the notion of the “strategic inner circle” to distinguish China’s closest allies, and addresses limitations in existing concepts such as security alliances, military coalitions, clients, and formal partnerships.
| Theme: | Conflict and Stability / Country and Region Studies / General / International Politics and Security |
| Region: | Central Asia |
Sources of Small States’ Influence in International Economic Negotiations
Dr Kaewkamol Pitakdumrongkit Assistant Professor and Deputy Head of Centre for Multilateralism Studies
Asst Prof Kaewkamol Pitakdumrongkit, Deputy Head of the Centre for Multilateralism Studies, has received the Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 1 grant of $84,705.91 for a 36-month study which investigates the sources of small states’ influence in international economic negotiations. It also introduces a new way of conceptualising small states' power in the context of international negotiations. It employs Asia-focused case studies of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and in reference to Asian small states such as Singapore and Bahrain.
| Theme: | International Political Economy |
| Region: | Central Asia / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Interreligious Relations between Muslims and People of other Faiths in Singapore
Dr Paul Hedges Associate Professor
This is the Singapore part of a wider cross-border research project funded by the Australian Research Council. It explores Muslim attitudes to the “Religious Other”, and involves a collection of data in the public sphere and a series of interviews, while various seminars and conferences will arise from the project alongside a book project and other publications. The topics for research include Muslim perspectives towards people of the Religious Other, evolution of understandings on the treatment of the Religious Other, historical and contemporary Islamic scholarship on the issue, validity of and counterarguments to extremist views, and other related issues. Additional topics are the need for introspection and critical review of Islamic doctrines/dogma, managing growing conservatism in religions (starting with Islam and then others). The project will involve a critical engagement with relevant Islamic legal and theological texts with regard to the religious other.
| Theme: | Religion in Contemporary Society |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Mapping out the Interreligious Landscape in Singapore – Interfaith Actors
Mr Luca Farrow Research Analyst
This is a project to map out the notable interfaith actors in Singapore, in terms of who they are, the nature of their activities and how they interconnect and overlap. It will involve the production of a database containing information including the activities that the various actors engage in and how, if at all, the various actors are linked domestically and into international networks. The coverage of the database would be wide to include government bodies, civil society organisations and influential individuals active in the interreligious field.
Importantly, the project does not only involve the compilation of a database but will involve adopting and/or developing theoretical framework(s) against which to analyse the landscape of interfaith actors in Singapore and to help assess where there are strengths and weaknesses in terms of the promotion of positive interfaith relations.
Importantly, the project does not only involve the compilation of a database but will involve adopting and/or developing theoretical framework(s) against which to analyse the landscape of interfaith actors in Singapore and to help assess where there are strengths and weaknesses in terms of the promotion of positive interfaith relations.
| Theme: | Country and Region Studies / Religion in Contemporary Society |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Survey of Interreligious Relations in Singapore (Part 2)
Dr Paul Hedges Associate Professor
This project will undertake both quantitative and qualitative research into Singapore’s religious landscape, seeking to map current trends and look to stay ahead of the curve in terms of changing attitudes and issues. Building from Part 1, existing studies and issues identified as well as seeking to map out potential future fault-lines, some key areas for examination will include: perceptions of shrinking Common Space; growing tendencies towards exclusivism and rejection of shared traditions and customs; the interconnection of ethnicity, nationalism and religion, including transnational networks; perceptions about the state’s interventions and management of religion; anxieties about, and impediments to interreligious dialogue and community cohesion; interreligious literacy; building blocks for a shared national narrative on social cohesion and religious harmony.
| Theme: | Religion in Contemporary Society |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
The Political Dynamics of US Trade Policy
Dr Su-Hyun Lee Assistant Professor and Coordinator of MSc (International Political Economy) Programme
Asst Prof Lee Su-Hyun, Coordinator of the MSc (International Political Economy) Programme at RSIS, has received the MOE AcRF Tier 1 grant of $27,840 for a research project titled “The Political Dynamics of Protectionism: Origins and Consequences.” The project focuses on a book manuscript on American trade policy that examines how incumbent presidents and their parties strategically set trade policy for electoral and partisan goals, and to what extent the distributional consequences of trade affect voting behaviour in US presidential elections. As extensions, the project analyses how trade competition from low income countries, especially from China, has affected the rise of populism and anti-globalisation backlash in advanced industrial countries.
| Theme: | International Political Economy |
| Region: | Americas / Global |
Political Islam, Ideology, and Violence
Dr Mohamed Bin Ali Assistant Professor
Mr Muhammad Haziq Bin Jani Senior Analyst
Responses towards violent Islamist ideologies have largely focussed on particular groups – whether Wahhabi, Salafi or Ikhwani – depending on the prominence of their discourse among violent groups or individuals. This research project focusses on the historical contexts of the various beliefs, doctrines and concepts found in the ideology of violent Islamist groups, with a view of how Islamism – a modern political ideology – could manifest beyond the stereotype of a violent terrorist group or reformist political movement.
| Theme: | General / Religion in Contemporary Society / Terrorism Studies |
| Region: | Global / Middle East and North Africa (MENA) / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Singapore Street Names: A Study of Toponymics
Dr Victor R Savage Adjunct Senior Fellow
This is the 4th edition of our book on Singapore’s street and place names. It deals with the historical, cultural, social, economic and political scaffoldings of Singapore’s cultural landscape based on place and street names. This book has been cited by many Singapore scholars and amateur historians who are interested in finding out the origins of place and street names over time. The book has been substantially revised and brought up to date with new information on various place and street names. As many Singaporeans are interested in the history of cultural landscapes, we have been able to benefit from their descriptions of specific places. The book is being published by Marshall Cavendish and would be out some time in November 2021.
| Theme: | Country and Region Studies |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Climate Change Mitigation through CDM and REDD+ in Southeast Asia
Ms Margareth Sembiring Associate Research Fellow
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has created several mechanisms to facilitate climate change mitigation efforts in developing countries. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) were established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy and forestry sectors respectively. This research assesses the interactions among actors involved in these initiatives in countries across Southeast Asia. It aims to examine the gaps and challenges in implementing climate mitigation solutions proposed by multilateral institutions such as the UNFCCC. It identifies best practices in optimising such solutions at the national level.
| Theme: | Non-Traditional Security |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Understanding Islamist Extremism in Southeast Asia
Dr Kumar Ramakrishna Associate Professor; and Provost’s Chair in National Security Studies and Associate Dean; Head of International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research; and Research Adviser to National Security Studies Programme
This book project seeks to examine how selected individuals in four Southeast Asian countries: Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia, became radicalised into Islamist extremism. The study will first unpack the various characteristics of religious extremism, showing how it is an acute form of fundamentalism, before analysing the specific phenomenon of Islamist extremism and how it plays out in the four countries mentioned. Recommendations for coping with Islamist extremist ideology across the four countries will be the subject of the final chapter.
| Theme: | Country and Region Studies / Religion in Contemporary Society / Terrorism Studies |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
A Western Definition of the Southeast Asian Region through Nature and Landscape
Dr Victor R Savage Adjunct Senior Fellow
The book of 11 chapters tries to look at the Southeast Asian region from an external (Western) perspective. The European perspective of Southeast Asia covers over 2,000 years of history. The first European cartographic definition of the region was found in Claudius Ptolemy’s 1st century AD atlas: Map 11 was dedicated to Southeast Asia entitled India beyond the Ganges. The European definition of the region was revived in the late 15th century with travellers and traders coming to the region and formulating their perceptions of the region. In this study, I use nature and landscape to represent the intimate Western experiences in the region and how these perceptions kept changing their definitions of the Southeast Asian region.
| Theme: | Country and Region Studies / Regionalism and Multilateralism |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Conceptualising the Problem of Radicalisation: Contemporary Trends and Theories
Dr Paul Hedges Associate Professor
Recent research on radicalisation is pointing towards a set of pathways that may lead people towards terrorism. However, scholars such as Marc Sageman, Olivier Roy, Gilles Kepel and others are stressing different aspects as the key factor or factors. Their analyses are not necessarily contradictory, but highlight that searching for a single magic key to unlock what radicalisation is may be problematic. Indeed, even the very term radicalisation may itself not help to clarify what is at stake, if it suggests it is something other than socialisation into a specific worldview. This project seeks to pick apart and assist rethinking the current empirical and theoretical data and analysis.
| Theme: | Religion in Contemporary Society / Singapore and Homeland Security / Terrorism Studies |
| Region: | Europe / Global / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
In Search of the Singapore Identity
Mr Han Fook Kwang Senior Fellow
This research will explore issues arising out of Singapore’s search for its identity. It will discuss what constitutes the Singapore identity, how has it changed, if any, what accounts for the change, why did the change occur, and what are the implications for the future. Singapore’s search for identity is not taking place in isolation but against a global backdrop where issues of identity are coming to the fore. In Europe and the US, there has been a resurgence of public sentiment towards stronger national identities. Brexit and the election of President Donald Trump in the US were examples of this, as is the rising strength of nationalistic, right wing parties in Europe. The research will discuss Singapore’s identity in this global context. It will also explore the issue of identity in the following areas: (i) economic identity; (ii) cultural identity; (iii) political/social identity; and (iv) international identity.
| Theme: | General / International Political Economy |
| Region: | Global / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Contributing to Food Security and Fulfilling Agriculture’s Commercial Potential through Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture in Singapore
Dr Paul Teng Professor and Adjunct Senior Fellow
Mr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros Research Fellow
Singapore imports more than 90 per cent of its total food consumption, and grows some quantities of eggs, fish and vegetables. There are plans of boosting these numbers, although any initiative will need to value-add to the country’s economy and productivity. In order to be more food secure amid the limitation of space, the government has supported technologies such as vertical farming, and provided funding to help farmers upgrade practices. This study will look into the types of technologies that can be leveraged to boost farming’s productivity, and allow for greater production within the limits of space, water and labour. It will further study the enabling environment for technology, focusing on the technology-policy interface.
| Theme: | Non-Traditional Security |
| Region: | East Asia and Asia Pacific / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Assessing Gaps and Opportunities in Food Safety for Safer Food Production in ASEAN
Dr Mely Caballero-Anthony Professor of International Relations and Head of Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies; President’s Chair in International Relations and Security Studies
Mr Jose Ma. Luis P. Montesclaros Research Fellow
Dr Jorgen Schlundt Professor and Director, NTU Food Technology Centre
This project aims to examine the current threats to food safety in ASEAN and explore ways to foster and enhance collaboration on food security. This project will produce a policy-relevant paper on how ASEAN as an institution, and its member states can address the types of food-borne diseases (FBD) that have plagued the region over the years. This is to be achieved by mapping out the ASEAN institutions involved in FBD management, and identifying gaps when compared to successful FBD management systems in countries/institutions such as Denmark and the European Union. This study will be limited to the top three to four diseases related to biotic factors (such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses), identified based on World Health Organization (WHO) Data. Literature review and stakeholder interviews will be done to provide insights on the ground. This research is being done in collaboration with the newly established NTU Food Technology Centre (NAFTEC).
| Theme: | Non-Traditional Security |
| Region: | Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Science & Technology and Economic Security
Dr Christopher H. Lim Adjunct Senior Fellow
Studies would include: i) how the development of science & technology could change the economic future and security of any country and/or region; ii) strategies and/or initiatives of a country and/ or a region could alter the economic future and security of another country and/or region; iii) exploration on the potential usage of biomimicry concept on how science, technology and economic could auto-feed and change the dynamics and characteristics of each other.
| Theme: | General |
| Region: | Global |
Mahathir, Anwar and Malaysia’s Opposition Politics: A New Beginning?
Mr Yang Razali Kassim Senior Fellow
To review the prospects for the Malaysian opposition, following the second incarceration of Anwar Ibrahim, and the “reinvention” of Mahathir as a de facto oppositionist leader. This paper will include the broader implications on Malaysian politics as a whole, taking into account whether the Malaysian opposition will evolve or remake itself in unexpected ways.
| Theme: | Conflict and Stability / Country and Region Studies / General |
| Region: | East Asia and Asia Pacific / Global / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Mapping Regional Frameworks for Nuclear Energy Governance in the Asia Pacific
Dr Mely Caballero-Anthony Professor of International Relations and Head of Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies; President’s Chair in International Relations and Security Studies
Mr Julius Cesar Imperial Trajano Research Fellow
The project explores pathways toward building a robust framework for nuclear energy governance in the Asia Pacific, including ASEAN. It has the following objectives: i) To look into the nuclear energy plans of East Asian/ASEAN countries, including the construction of nuclear power plants in the region, ii) To examine the regulatory frameworks on nuclear energy in ASEAN and the Asia Pacific and iii) To explore the feasibility of a “wider regional framework/blueprint for nuclear energy cooperation in the Asia Pacific”, building on some of the existing regional frameworks such as the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia, etc.
| Theme: | Cybersecurity, Biosecurity and Nuclear Safety / Energy Security / Non-Traditional Security |
| Region: | East Asia and Asia Pacific / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Future Maritime Security Environment — Policy Paper and Workshop
Ms Jane Chan Git Yin Senior Fellow and Coordinator of Maritime Security Programme, IDSS
The study will identify likely developments in the maritime security environment of Asia over the next decade, including shifts in the maritime balance of power and particular threats and challenges in the maritime domain. The study will take a comprehensive view of security, and will include issues such as the trends with international shipping, environmental protection and resource scarcity. The overall objective will be to identify the implications of these developments for the region and for Singapore. The geographical scope for the study will be the Indo-Pacific region.
| Theme: | Conflict and Stability / Country and Region Studies / Maritime Security |
| Region: | East Asia and Asia Pacific / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
Maritime Security and Sea Lines of Communication — Research Paper
Ms Jane Chan Git Yin Senior Fellow and Coordinator of Maritime Security Programme, IDSS
Dr Collin Koh Swee Lean Research Fellow and Coordinator of United States Programme, IDSS
The programme collaborates with the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) to work on topical maritime security issues relating to Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) and chokepoints within IFC’s areas of interest. The project aims to better understand the threats and challenges in regional waters. It will consider national, regional and inter-regional maritime law enforcement capacity, best practices and cooperation.
| Theme: | Country and Region Studies / Maritime Security |
| Region: | South Asia / Southeast Asia and ASEAN |
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Past Issues of [email protected]
The past issues of this newsletter are available in the drop-down menu below.
Note: From Sep 2018 onwards, projects are no longer compiled by issues. They have since been categorised as either "ongoing" or "completed".
Note: From Sep 2018 onwards, projects are no longer compiled by issues. They have since been categorised as either "ongoing" or "completed".
