Korea-China Maritime Boundary Talks: Implications for South China Sea
Synopsis
The January 2015 meeting between China and South Korea on boundary delimitation in the Yellow Sea offers a chance to improve bilateral relations and the prospect of extending agreement to other seas, in particular the South China Sea.
Islamic State and its Online Recruitment Formula
Synopsis
Why is Islamic State (IS) so effective at recruitment, especially in the online realm? Recent discussions glean some insights for the Singapore and Southeast Asia context.
Russia’s Concept of Hybrid Wars: Implications for Small States
Synopsis
A strategic concept of “hybrid wars” or “non-linear wars” has reshaped the new doctrine of the Russian Armed Forces. While its underlying principles are still imprecise small states should study such ideas with an eye to how it might impact their national defence in the future.
Asean Integration: A Work in Progress, Not an ‘Illusion’
Synopsis
ASEAN and its integrative processes are working well, albeit at less than desired speed. However, the real worth and value of ASEAN is the consciousness that has been developed among ministers, officials and NGO representatives of thinking in regional terms.
Lee Kuan Yew’s Leadership: Model for China?
Synopsis
Singapore’s governance model is widely touted to be world-class. Much of it is due to the brand of its political leadership which is studied by many countries around the world, not least China.
Pakistan & the Yemen War: Perils of Joining the Saudi-led Coalition
Synopsis
Saudi Arabia’s demand to Pakistan to join its coalition against the Houthi uprising in Yemen has put Islamabad in a catch-22 situation. Pakistan is caught between joining the Saudi alliance and not antagonising its neighbour Iran. Joining the Saudi coalition will have long-term political, economic and security repercussions for Pakistan.
Gulf Alliances: Regional States Hedge Their Bets
Synopsis
The Saudi-led intervention in Yemen designed to prevent Iranian-backed forces from gaining power symbolises the Gulf’s new assertiveness. Potential US-Iranian agreement on resolving the nuclear crisis has fuelled concern among Arab Gulf states about the reliability of the United States as the region’s ultimate security guarantor.
Economic Legacy of Lee Kuan Yew: Lessons for Aspiring Countries
Synopsis
A key legacy of Lee Kuan Yew has been to enshrine good governance (effective government) as an important ingredient of economic development and prosperity. Aspiring countries will, however, face challenges in adopting the Singapore development model.
Lee Kuan Yew’s China Wisdom
Synopsis
As the rare statesman who has engaged all five generations of Chinese leadership, Lee Kuan Yew had a deep and profound understanding of China. Policymakers and scholars would do no worse than to overlook Lee’s insights on the rising power.
US Envoy’s Impressions of Lee Kuan Yew
Synopsis
Lee Kuan Yew’s conversations with US leaders are not as widely known as his speeches. A report by a US ambassador to Singapore on Lee’s October 1967 visit to the United States reveals the extent of Lee’s successful diplomacy towards the US.