Current Updates on Regional Political and Security Situation

For updates on current political and security development , please see RSIS website for commentaries here

Past Updates on Regional Political and Security Situation

2012

January

Terrorism Outlook in 2012: The Threat Continues
by Rohan Gunaratna
RSIS Commentaries No. 19
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0192011.pdf

The new Great Game: ASEAN’s Balancing Act?
by Yang Razali Kassim
RSIS Commentaries No. 14
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0142011.pdf

2011

December

The Bali EAS: Can ASEAN form an East Asia Community?
by Mushahid Ali
RSIS Commentaries No. 184
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1842011.pdf

Singapore’s Security in the 21st Century: Charting the Unknown Singapore’s Security in the 21st Century
by S R Nathan
RSIS Commentaries No. 180
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1802011.pdf

FPDA at 40: Still Effective and Relevant
by Peter Ho
RSIS Commentaries No. 179
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1792011.pdf

November

Visions at War?: EAS in the Regional Architecture Debate
by Tan See Seng
RSIS Commentaries No. 164
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1642011.pdf

October

Russia’s Role in EAS: Promoting inter-regional cooperation
by Alica Kizekova
RSIS Commentaries No. 157
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1572011.pdf

China and Its Southern Neighbours: Issues in Power Connectivity
by Zha Daojiong
RSIS Commentaries No. 147
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1472011.pdf

September

The South China Sea Dilemma: Options for the Main Actors
by Subathra R. Periyaswamy
RSIS Commentaries No. 137
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1372011.pdf

Global Rebalancing in the Internet Age: Impact on Society, Government & Business
by Yang Razali Kassim
RSIS Commentaries No. 134
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1342011.pdf

July

Asia Pacific Summits: How China, US and ASEAN can Collaborate
by Zha Daojiong
RSIS Commentaries No. 108
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1082011.pdf

ARF at 18: Crisis of Confidence or Oasis of Opportunity?
by Benjamin Ho Tze Ern
RSIS Commentaries No. 107
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1072011.pdf

June

ASEAN Community: Losing Grip over Vision 2015?
by Yang Razali Kassim
RSIS Commentaries No. 87
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0872011.pdf

May

TOWARDS AN ASEAN VISION BEYOND 2015: Outcome of Jakarta Summit
by Mushahid Ali and Yang Razali Kassim
RSIS Commentaries No. 76
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0762011.pdf

April

To Admit or to Exclude Timor Leste? Implications for ASEAN integration
by Mushahid Ali
RSIS Commentaries No. 66
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0662011.pdf

The Need for Engagement in Singapore’s Defence Policies
by Ong Weichong
RSIS Commentaries No. 60
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0602011.pdf

Global Fighter Jets: Asia, the New Centre of Gravity?
by Richard A. Bitzinger
RSIS Commentaries No. 59
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0592011.pdf

India, US in East Asia: Emerging Strategic Partnership
by Manjeet S Pardesi
RSIS Commentaries No. 54
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0542011.pdf

Nuclear Power After Fukushima
by Barry Desker
RSIS Commentaries No. 53
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0532011.pdf

Urban Search and Rescue: Boosting Intra-ASEAN Self Help
by Nah Liang Tuang
RSIS Commentaries No. 52
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0522011.pdf

March

Piracy in the South China Sea: Lessons from Gulf of Aden
by Joshua Ho
RSIS Commentaries No. 47
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0472011.pdf

Trans-Pacific Partnership: Now It Gets Difficult
by Deborah K Elms
RSIS Commentaries No. 46
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0462011.pdf

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: End for the Nuclear Industry?
by Alvin Chew
RSIS Commentaries No. 42
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0422011.pdf

Japan in Disaster: Managing Energy Vulnerabilities
by Sofiah Jamil and Mely Caballero-Anthony
RSIS Commentaries No. 41
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0412011.pdf

A Second Nuclear Age in Asia?
by Kwa Chong Guan
RSIS Commentaries No. 38
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0382011.pdf

Febuary

East Kalimantan: A New Front for Regional Maritime Security?
by Alban Sciascia and Eric Frécon
RSIS Commentaries No. 30
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0302011.pdf
 
Thai-Cambodian Skirmishes: Endangering ASEAN's raison d'etre?
by Bilveer Singh
RSIS Commentaries No. 21
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0212011.pdf

January

Tunisia and Climate Change: What it means for Southeast Asia
by Yang Razali Kassim
RSIS Commentaries No. 8
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0082011.pdf

China and Global Food Security: Conflicting Notions
by Zhang Hongzhou
RSIS Commentaries No. 7
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0072011.pdf

Killing Pirates: Dilemma of Counter - Piracy
by Sam Bateman
RSIS Commentaries No. 6
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0062011.pdf

2010

December

Sino-Indian Relations: Growing Yet Fragile
by C. Raja Mohan
RSIS Commentaries No. 174
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1742010.pdf

Mudflow Management: Lessons for Southeast Asia
by Sofiah Jamil & Devin Maeztri
RSIS Commentaries No. 170
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1702010.pdf
 
Climate Change and Regional Defence Forces: Is There a Connection?
by Evan A. Laksmana
RSIS Commentaries No. 169
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1692010.pdf
 
Water Insecurity in Himalayas: Emerging Tensions & Lessons for ASEAN
by Yang Razali Kassim
RSIS Commentaries No. 167
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1672010.pdf
 
Nuclear Energy in Southeast Asia: Competition or Cooperation?
by Alvin Chew
RSIS Commentaries No. 166
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1662010.pdf

Yeonpyeong: Dealing with North Korea
by Lee Dongmin
RSIS Commentaries No. 163
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1632010.pdf

November

The Indonesian Defence Forces and Disaster Relief: Potential Pitfalls and Challenges
by Evan A. Laksmana
RSIS Commentaries No. 160
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1602010.pdf

The Yeonpyeong Attack: Shooting Down Denuclearisation?
by Koh Swee Lean Collin
RSIS Commentaries No. 159
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1592010.pdf
 
Japan: Sidestepping the Arms Export Ban?
by Richard A. Bitzinger
RSIS Commentaries No. 151
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1512010.pdf
 
Arms Races in Asia?
by Bernard F.W. Loo
RSIS Commentaries No. 149
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1492010.pdf
 
Coming Back to the US Fold: New Zealand Defence and Security Policies
by Sam Bateman
RSIS Commentaries No. 146
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1462010.pdf

Big Power Rivalry in East Asia:Will it Disrupt Regional Cooperation?,
by Tan Seng Chye,
RSIS Commentaries No. 144
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1442010.pdf

Beyond ASEAN Plus to East Asia Community: The Hanoi ASEAN Summits
by Mushahid Ali
RSIS Commentaries No. 142
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1422010.pdf

East Asia Summit 2010: Big Step Forward, or Business-as-Usual?
by Tan See Seng
RSIS Commentaries No. 141
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1412010.pdf

October

East Asia’s Territorial Disputes: Time for Preventive Diplomacy,
by Kei Koga,
RSIS Commentaries No. 134
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1342010.pdf

ADMM Plus: New Twists to Old Security Issues,
by Yang Razali Kassim,
RSIS Commentaries No. 133
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1332010.pdf

ASEAN Plus Eight Defence Cooperation: Rise of a New Player,
by Barry Desker,
RSIS Commentaries No. 132
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1322010.pdf

ADMM + 8: Adding Flesh to a New Regional Architecture ,
by Tan Seng Chye,
RSIS Commentaries No. 131
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1312010.pdf

East Asian Security: US Wants Bigger Indian Role,
by C. Raja Mohan,
RSIS Commentaries No. 129
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1292010.pdf

China-Japan Dispute: Tokyo’s Foreign Policy of Pragmatism,
by Bhubhindar Singh,
RSIS Commentaries No. 127
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1272010.pdf

September

Is Indonesia Outgrowing ASEAN?,
by Barry Desker,
RSIS Commentaries No. 125
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1252010.pdf

Singapore Global Dialogue: Heated Start to Strategic Debates,
by Yang Razali Kassim,
RSIS Commentaries No. 123
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1232010.pdf

South China Sea: How China Could Clarify its Claims,
by Robert Beckman,
RSIS Commentaries No. 116
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1162010.pdf

Chinese Military Power: Much Less than Meets the Eye,
by Bernard F.W. Loo,
RSIS Commentaries No. 111
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1112010.pdf

August

The South China Sea: When the Elephants Dance,
by Sam Bateman,
RSIS Commentaries No. 91
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0912010.pdf

South China Sea: Worsening Dispute or Growing Clarity in Claims?,
by Robert Beckman,
RSIS Commentaries No. 90
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0902010.pdf

June

NEW DIRECTIONS FOR ASEAN
by Barry Desker,
RSIS Commentaries No. 68
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0682010.pdf

The Korean Question: An Unresolved Issue of Asia’s Cold War,
by Emrys Chew,
RSIS Commentaries No. 66
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0662010.pdf

May

The Korean Crisis: Going Beyond the Cheonan Incident,
by Chung Chong Wook,
RSIS Commentaries No. 58
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0582010.pdf

Saga of the Choenan Incident: Sinking of the Six Party Talks?,
by Dongmin Lee,
RSIS Commentaries No. 51
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0512010.pdf

April

South China Sea: Emerging China - Taiwan Cooperation,
by Li Minjiang,
RSIS Commentaries No. 41
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0412010.pdf

March

Terror in the Malacca Strait:The Risks of Overreaction,
by Sam Bateman,
RSIS Commentaries No. 31
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0312010.pdf

THE MALACCA STRAIT:WILL IT CONTINUE TO BE SAFE?,
by Joshua Ho,
RSIS Commentaries No. 30
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0302010.pdf

February

Cyber War” in the 21st Century: The Emerging Security Challenge,
by Commodore (retd) Ashok Sawhney,
RSIS Commentaries No. 20
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0202010.pdf

The 2010 US Quadrennial Defence Review: Implications for Southeast Asia,
by Joey Long,
RSIS Commentaries No. 19
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0192010.pdf

The Dog That Didn’t Bark? The 2010 Quadrennial Defence Review,
by Richard A. Bitzinger,
RSIS Commentaries No. 18
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0182010.pdf

UAE Nuclear Agreement: A Model for Southeast Asia?,
by Alvin Chew,
RSIS Commentaries No. 17
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0172010.pdf

January

Beyond the Sea: Fighting Piracy in Southeast Asia,
by Eric Frécon,
RSIS Commentaries No. 2
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0022010.pdf

2009

December

Beyond the Sea: Fighting Piracy in Southeast Asia,
by Eric Frécon,
RSIS Commentaries No. 128
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1282009.pdf

The pitfalls of joint warfare: Conjoined or Separated?,
by Bernard Loo,
RSIS Commentaries No. 123
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1232009.pdf

Political Realignment in Tokyo: Impact on India-Japan Relations,
by Arpita Mathur,
RSIS Commentaries No. 122
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1222009.pdf

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore: Ensuring Safe and Efficient Shipping,
by Joshua Ho,
RSIS Commentaries No. 119
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1192009.pdf

November

The US and China: Dangers of Premature Extrapolation,
by Bill Durodié,
RSIS Commentaries No. 117
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1172009.pdf

Obama’s America: Why it is likely to endure in Asia,
by Deepak Nair,
RSIS Commentaries No. 115
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1152009.pdf

Submarine Accidents in Asia: Preparing for the Worst,
by Kelvin Wong,
RSIS Commentaries No. 112
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1122009.pdf

The Armed Forces of Southeast Asia in 2020,
by Bernard F.W. Loo,
RSIS Commentaries No. 110
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1102009.pdf

October

Increased Risks at Sea? Global Shipping Downturn and Maritime Security,
by Sam Bateman,
RSIS Commentaries No. 100
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS1002009.pdf

China’s 60th Anniversary: Celebrating Beijing’s Peaceful Rise,
by Wang Di and Ron Matthews,
RSIS Commentaries No. 96
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0962009.pdf

September

Imagining the future: The World in 2020,
by Barry Desker,
RSIS Commentaries No. 93
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0932009.pdf

The US Defence Industry under Obama: Are the Good Times Over?,
by Richard A. Bitzinger,
RSIS Commentaries No. 91
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0912009.pd

The Terrible Allure of Nuclear Weapons,
by Bernard Loo,
RSIS Commentaries No. 87
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0872009.pdf

July

ASEAN’S Next Challenge: Preventing Incidents at Sea,
by Kwa Chong Guan,
RSIS Commentaries No. 76
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0762009.pdf

Anti-Piracy In Somalia: Models for Maritime Security Institutions ,
by Joshua Ho,
RSIS Commentaries No. 66
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0662009.pdf

June

Air-Independent Powered Submarines in the Asia-Pacific: Proliferation and Repercussions,
by Richard A. Bitzinger,
RSIS Commentaries No. 62
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0622009.pdf

THE NORTHERN SEA ROUTE (NSR): A NEW TRANSIT PASSAGE BETWEEN EUROPE AND ASIA?,
by Joshua Ho,
RSIS Commentaries No. 61
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0612009.pdf

China’s Re-emergence as an Arms Dealer,
by Richard A. Bitzinger,
RSIS Commentaries No. 52
Click here to download Commentar
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0522009.pdf

May

The “Asia-Pacific Community” Idea: What Next?,
by Tan See Seng,
RSIS Commentaries No. 49
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0492009.pdf

F-15SG: The Last Manned Fighter for the RSAF?,
by Bernard Loo,
RSIS Commentaries No. 47
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0472009.pdf

Australian Defence White Paper: What Price Maritime Security? ,
by Sam Bateman,
RSIS Commentaries No. 45
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0452009.pdf

Weapons acquisition in the US: Streamlining the Process ,
by Adrian W. J. Kuah,
RSIS Commentaries No. 44
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0442009.pdf

April

The Great Australian Defence Debate: Is China a Threat?,
by Sam Bateman,
RSIS Commentaries No. 40
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0402009.pdf

Aircraft Carriers: China's Emerging Maritime Ambitions
by Richard A Bitzinger
RSIS Commentary No.35
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0352009.pdf

February

Piracy in the South China Sea: Maritime Ambushes off the Mangkai Passage
by Eric Frécon
RSIS Commentary No.18
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0182009.pdf

January

Piracy In The Gulf Of Aden: Lessons From The Malacca Strait,
by Joshua Ho
RSIS Commentary No.9
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0092009.pdf

China's Gulf of Aden Expedition: Stepping Stone to East Asia?
by Li Mingjiang
RSIS Commentary No.4
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0042009.pdf

Singapore’s Arms sale to UK:A Defence Export Breakthrough
by Ron Matthews and Curie Maharani
RSIS Commentary No.1
Click here to download Commentary
http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS0012009.pdf