Think Tank (5/2024)
The S. T. Lee Distinguished Annual Lecture by Professor Jia Qingguo on “The US Presidential Elections: Implications for China-US Relations”
Disasters and Humanitarian Action: Dynamic Shifts, Reflections and Anticipating Future Directions
Alistair D. B. Cook
The year 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. On 26 December 2004, a major earthquake struck with its epicentre off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The impact of the tsunami was a wakeup call to the world to pay greater attention to disasters, review and reform disaster management and emergency response, and improve cooperation in times of crises.
Over the past two decades, the global humanitarian system has undergone significant developments stemming from the increasing scale, frequency, and complexity of disasters, as well as changing political contexts. The contributors to this volume provide important insights drawing on their professional and research experience to understand the roles, motivations, and challenges in the humanitarian community from a diverse range of civilian and military perspectives.
Christian Polytheism? Polydox Theologies of Multi-devotional and Decolonial Praxis
Paul Hedges
This book is a theological and political exploration of how Christianity may be compatible with polytheism, arguing that there is no singular "orthodoxy", rather we see "polydoxy". Conceptually deconstructing the distinction between monotheism and polytheism, it advances multi-devotionalism and mono-devotionalism as analytically preferable terminology. It starts by exploring notions of polytheism in the Old(er) Testament, New(er) Testament, and Christian developments of the Trinity over subsequent centuries, before placing Christianity in comparative dialogue with Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. Employing a decolonial and feminist stance, the book proceeds to examine global Christianities, focusing on African and Asian theologies as well as Goddess traditions. It concludes by offering five options for developing a theology of Christian polytheism: Henotheist originalism, theologies of plurality, generous orthodoxy, atheistic Christian polytheism, and a theology of polytheistic excess. This original and compelling volume is essential reading for scholars of Christian Systematic Theology and Modern Theology.
Reflections: Singapore’s Place in the World
Barry Desker
How should ASEAN leaders advance the ASEAN Economic Community?
What obstacles does Asia face in managing US-China relations?
How has religious identity politics in the region changed and how should Singapore respond to such developments?
These are some of the issues covered in this collection of thoughtful and insightful essays by former Ambassador and founding Dean of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Barry Desker.
His many years serving behind the scenes as a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) officer during the region’s tumultuous times, after he joined the service in 1970, can be seen in deeply personal articles such as “Remembering S.R. Nathan: The MFA Years” and “Lee Kuan Yew’s Visit to Bali in 1975,” when the author accompanied then-Prime Minister Lee to various Asean cities in the months after the fall of Saigon in April 1975.
His thorough understanding of the details of trade agreements and the economic issues that face Asean, as well as the security challenges in Asia, including energy security, is a reflection of his tenure both as the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Trade Development Board (1994-2000) and the Director of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (2000-2014). His years as Ambassador to Indonesia, from 1986 to 1993, make his sensitive reflections on Indonesian politics, religion, and society matchless.
Related Content:
