RSIS Welcomes the M.Sc./Ph.D. Class of 2009

Think Tank News from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

n 24 July 2008, RSIS welcomed the new batch of M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. OOver the course of the following two days, an orientation was organized for the Class of 2009. The orientation involved briefings on the various programmes at RSIS as well as visits to SAFTIMI and ISEAS. Our Dean, Ambassador Barry Desker, delivered the following welcome speech to the new students: “It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), a Dean Barry Desker having a photo opportunity with some of the new students of professional Graduate School of the the M.Sc. programmes Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Our aim is to train you to top quality students from many ar- 1 RSIS Welcomes the M.Sc./Ph.D. participate actively in a globalizing eas of work. From a small class of 10, Class of 2009 world. Some of you will work away all Singaporeans, all fully sponsored 3 Seminar on “The U.S. Take on from your home countries, others students in 1998/99, more than 160 Combating Terror” by Dr. James Jay Carafano will be based in your countries of or- students are enrolled in our gradu- 3 Seminar on “Four Broad Themes igin but all of you will travel, interact ate teaching programmes this aca- of Jihadi Online Curriculum” by Mr. with people of other nationalities, demic year. Students from close to Stephen Ulph handle issues dealing with interna- 40 different countries have passed 4 APPSMO 2008 tional society. Our job is to train you through the School since 1998. This 6 Seminar on “Myanmar’s Militarized State and its Priorities: How It to meet these demands. Besides a year, we have students from 28 coun- Uses Cyclone Victims to String the tough academic programme in the tries. More than half of our current International Community Along” by next 10 months, you will have the student body comes from overseas.” Dr. Maung Zarni opportunity to learn about how to “We are proud at RSIS to provide 6 Visit by European Union Experts, handle media interviews, write pol- a rigorous professional education Office of the Delegation of the European Commission icy papers, participate in crisis man- with a strong practical emphasis. 6 Visit by the National Institute for agement workshops.” Our key teaching goal is to prepare Defense Studies, Japan “Since our establishment in 1996, our students for a career in a broad 7 Visit by African Leaders and we have experienced robust growth range of strategic professions, in- Policymakers cluding the foreign and national 8 Ahlan Wa Sahlan (Warm Greetings) in student numbers and quality. Our Inside … from Damascus, Syria! enrolment has diversified and we security-related ministries, MNCs have been successful in attracting and local corporations, investment Issue No. 6 • August 2008 • MICA Permit Number : MICA (P) 287/05/2006 banks, regional and international or- ism Research (ICPVTR), the Centre courses. As students, you are at the ganizations, NGOs and journalism.” of Excellence for National Security centre of our teaching programme. “Our students get globally com- (CENS), the Centre for Non-Tradi- We aim to produce graduates who petitive educational opportunities tional Security Studies (CNTS) and can make a difference to society.” through four graduate programmes; the Temasek Foundation Centre for “It is once again my pleasure to namely, the Masters of Science in Trade and Negotiations.” welcome you to RSIS and I hope that Strategic Studies, International Re- “The School also convenes nu- you will find your time in the School lations, International Political Econ- merous conferences, workshops, to be a challenging and rewarding omy, and Asian Studies. Next year, seminars, and colloquia on aspects experience.” we will add a two-year Master of related to the security and stability Business Administration in Interna- of the Asia-Pacific and their impli- tional Studies taught jointly with the cations for Singapore and other re- Nanyang Business School. We have gional countries. One of the high- a small Ph.D. programme. But as a lights of the School’s activities is the professional school of international annual Asia Pacific Programme for affairs, we will be judged by how Senior Military Officers (APPSMO), many go into careers dealing with which will start on Sentosa island on the regional and international envi- 3 August. You are welcomed to join ronment, not the number going on those sessions, which are open to to a Ph.D.” our students. You are encouraged to “RSIS is not only a school of inter- participate in all these research and national affairs but also a think tank networking activities. We believe focusing on policy and academic re- that attendance and active partici- search. Constituents of RSIS, besides pation in our seminars and confer- The new students being briefed by the IDSS, include the International Cen- ences makes your MSc programme Head of Graduate Studies, Associate tre for Political Violence and Terror- different from other Masters degree Professor Ralf Emmers

Congratulations to the Class of 2008

On 21 July 2008, RSIS was proud to confer the Master of Science degrees in International Political Economy (IPE), International Relations (IR) and Stra- tegic Studies (SS) to the M.Sc. Class of 2008. Of the 106 students being conferred the degrees, the three top students from the respective programmes were also awarded various medals. They were Alvin Tan Poh Heng, winner of the Lion Group Gold Medal for the IPE programme; Ang Tiau Linn, winner of the Singapore Technologies Engineer- ing Gold Medal for the IR programme; and Ho Shu Huang, winner of the United Overseas Bank Gold Medal for the SS programme. RSIS would also like to congratulate Miss Gonzalez Lozano Alma Arcelia for being awarded the prestigious Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship to pursue her Ph.D. at RSIS. We welcome the new members to the RSIS Alumni and hope that they would all maintain a continuing interest in RSIS. Dean Barry Desker at the convocation ceremony for the Class of 2008

The top students of the Some of the students respective M.Sc. from the RSIS Class programmes: of 2008 with Mr. S R (from left) Alvin Nathan, President Tan, Ho Shu of Singapore and Huang and Ang Chancellor of NTU, and Tiau Linn Dean Desker.

Think Tank News from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Seminar on “The U.S. Take on Combating Terror” by Dr. James Jay Carafano

n 16 April 2008, ICPVTR was terest. A long war is a war of attrition: privileged to host Dr. James direct confrontation with the enemy is Jay Carafano. Dr. Carafano impossible. Ois Assistant Director at the Kathryn Dr. Carafano touched on the four and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for good elements of long-war strategy. International Studies and Senior Re- The first is security, where offence is search Fellow at the Douglas and Sa- more important than defence. Second Dr. James Jay Carafano rah Allison Center for Foreign Policy is economic growth and competition, Studies. He is a leading expert in de- which is necessary to pay for security fence affairs, military operations and and the society’s needs. The third is the ing the Cold War. He also stated that strategy, and homeland security at protection of the liberties of the citi- in order to win the Long War, the state The Heritage Foundation. zens in order to protect the underlying has to appeal to the emotional and the Dr. Carafano spoke to ICPVTR staff element of social cohesion. Finally, the metaphysical. The state cannot sim- on “The U.S. Take on Combating Ter- nation has to win the war of ideas. As ply focus on terrorism and ignore the ror”. Names of wars change over time, Clausewitz said, “Defeat is in the mind extremists. History shows that people and the War on Terror has since been of the enemy commander.” flourish after winning long wars but renamed the Long War by the vast Dr. Carafano believes that the society has to be either authoritarian majority of observers. This renaming United States has to take the basic or very liberal in order to win. captures the nature of the conflict. Ac- principles of fighting a long war and The participants of the seminar had cording to him, the dynamics of a long apply it to its fight against global ter- an engaging session and RSIS wishes war are fairly consistent. It does not rorism, much in the same way that it to thank Dr. James Jay Carafano for his end until the sovereign entity loses in- out-competed the Soviet Union dur- insightful sharing.

Seminar on “Four Broad Themes of Jihadi Online Curriculum” by Mr. Stephen Ulph

On 18 April 2008, ICPVTR hosted a semi- The first is the undermining of the nar on “Four Broad Themes of Jihadi On- present cultural order by targeting democ- line Curriculum”. We were privileged to racy, secularism and pluralism. The sec- have Mr. Stephen Ulph, Senior Fellow at ond is the undermining of the current order The Jamestown Foundation and founder within Muslim society and the world by re- and editor of Terrorism Security Monitor, to moving any kind of legitimacy for Muslim speak on the nature of the Internet becom- regimes, state systems, political conduct, ing an important media platform for jihadist and pro-establishment Muslim scholars propaganda. and those who do not strive against those Mr. Stephen Ulph Mr. Ulph spoke about the “jihadi cur- regimes, systems and political conduct. riculum”. Even though there is no single Third, according to Mr. Ulph, is the re- Mr. Ulph also observed that while the coherent curriculum to train a person as a viving of the spirit of jihad in Muslims. Ji- proliferation of jihadist online curriculum jihadist, the jihadist ideological materials on hadists construct four main arguments to through websites, chat rooms and forum the Internet are so vast and comprehensive fuel this spirit. boards is a source of concern, it also of- that they could be regarded as an under- • It is the “forgotten obligation” that needs fers great opportunity for counter-ideology graduate course on jihad. to be revived. research. The curriculum allows deep un- Mr. Ulph also said that the Internet to- • It is an individual duty of every Muslim. day is an important media platform for ji- • It means first and foremost an armed derstanding of the intricacies of the ideol- hadist propaganda. The open nature of the struggle, before other meanings. ogy. Mr. Ulph called to attention jihadist Internet, being difficult to regulate, allows • It is the ultimate priority above all other polemics and self-analysis, which provide jihadists to propagate their ideology. This obligations. analysts with points of tension, controver- has enabled jihadists to radicalize some Jihadists are often forced to reiterate and sy and weaknesses. These are useful to Muslims and subsequently recruit them clarify their positions because they are con- weaken the appeal of the ideology and de- into their struggle. The result is a continuing stantly challenged by their critics from within legitimize its tenets. jihadist threat, especially from elusive and and without Muslim society. Thus, Mr. Ulph RSIS would like to thank Mr. Ulph for self-radicalized but unaffiliated individuals. Continuing his idea of the jihadi curricu- elaborated, the fourth theme that could be sharing his thoughts at the seminar and the lum, Mr. Ulph identified four broad themes found in the curriculum is the claim for the discussion of jihadist propaganda through from the online curriculum of jihad. authority to speak for Islam and Muslims. the media platform of the Internet.

Think Tank News from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies The Tenth Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO)

he Tenth Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO) was held at the Sentosa Resort and Spa on 4–10 August 2008. Organised by the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies T(IDSS) of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, APPSMO 08 saw one of the largest participation of senior military officers—61 in total—since its inauguration in 1999. Partici- pants from 28 countries, with a record number of four Brigadier-Generals, were involved in the programme this year. APPSMO 2008 also marked the first time Saudi Arabia participated in the event. The senior military officers participated in a series of seminars and dis- cussions that featured distinguished speakers from Singapore and around the world. The speakers addressed various topics pertaining to security and policy concerns, such as the future of warfare, the rise of private military companies,

Think Tank News from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies The Tenth Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO)

the role of the armed forces in non-traditional security, cultural knowledge and military operations, the media and international conflict, terrorism and international security, and the new dimensions in international security. It was, of course, not all work and no play. The participants of APPSMO 08 were also treated to a variety of activities including visits to SAFTI Mili- Brigadier General Erwin Dahinden tary Institute, the Army Museum, The Arts House and Changi Naval Base. (Switzerland): As APPSMO 08 coincided with Singapore’s National Day on 9 August, the “Being in Singapore for APPSMO 2008 participants also celebrated with the whole nation by attending the National allows me to get an alternative perspective Day Parade held at Marina Bay. of security, different from a Euro-centric APPSMO 08 will be remembered by its participants not only for the valu- one. Furthermore, Singapore is an ideal able defence networking opportunities and stimulating academic sessions place, being not only multicultural addressing up-to-date and relevant topics but also for the relationships built and successful in world trade; it is also that will last beyond their stay in Singapore. the balcony of Asia, allowing for an international perspective on security.”

Captain (N) Mushabab Al-Asmari (Saudi Arabia): “I am looking forward to engaging other officers in the exchange of views on security issues, especially on anti- terrorism.”

Brigadier Naveed Mukhtar (Pakistan): “It is exceptional to be here at APPSMO 2008. A lot of credit goes to RSIS for inviting officers from 28 countries and for being a great host!”

Think Tank News from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Seminar on “Myanmar’s Militarized State and its Priorities: How It Uses Cyclone Victims to String the International Community Along” by Dr. Maung Zarni

n 2 June 2008, RSIS invited unidirectional from the top down. Dr. Maung Zarni, Visiting He cited the junta’s reaction to the Research Fellow at the De- recent Cyclone Nargis as evidence Opartment of International Devel- that the regime is simply not con- Dr. Maung Zarni opment (Queen Elizabeth House), cerned with public welfare. University of Oxford, and founder Dr. Zarni also noted that na- of the Free Burma Coalition, to talk tional reconciliation is seen as key to community, Dr. Zarni said that while about the nature of the junta’s pri- progress in Myanmar. The tatmadaw the U.S., the U.K. and France have orities and the consequences for the were once respected by the Burmese a moral code, their dealings with future of Myanmar. people but the violent repression of Myanmar have been hypocritical. Dr. Zarni shared that Myanmar’s civil protests has changed this. He also Sanctions have not worked. He also generals see power as limited and focused on the idea that the soldiers, criticized ASEAN’s position towards personalized, and that sharing power being a part of the people of Myanmar, Myanmar as giving the junta a blank is akin to losing power. He explained cannot influence the generals and are cheque to do as they please. He as- the interaction of the diverse insti- essentially hostage to their situation. serted that there is mass public rage tutions and groupings in Myanmar He added that reconciliation between against the regime but doubted that society with the help of a diagram. the Myanmar people and the rank- there would be any mass uprising. The regime was placed outside and and-file soldiers of the army is essen- RSIS wishes to thank Dr. Zarni above the people with communica- tial for progress in Myanmar. for addressing the seminar, which tion between them being primarily Concerning the international was insightful for the participants.

Visit by European Union Visit by the National Institute Experts, Office of the Delegation for Defense Studies, Japan of the European Commission

On 6 June 2008, RSIS hosted a visit by a delegation of experts from the European Union (EU). This visit was requested by the European Commission in Singapore and was led by Mr. Sigurd Hess. The experts had also visited Indonesia and Malaysia and were on a fact-find- ing mission on critical maritime routes, with a particular focus on the Malacca Straits. During the visit, the delegation met with RSIS staff The delegation from NIDS being briefed by Dean Barry Dr. Sam Bateman and Mr. Joshua Ho for a discussion on Desker (right) issues ranging from the EU’s involvement in the maritime security domain in Singapore to terrorist threats in On 13 June 2008, a delegation from the National Insti- the region. The discussion at RSIS was lively and was a tute for Defense Studies (NIDS) of Japan led by Profes- memorable stop of their Southeast Asian visit. sor Toda Kazuhiro visited RSIS. The officers who came with Professor Kazuhiro were Captain Yokota Tomonori, Major Kitano Mitsutaka, Colonel Shigemura Kazayuki, Colonel Kamisakai Masami and Captain Odora Kazuy- uki. Apart from the Japanese officers, members of the U.S. and Chinese Navy and Army were also part of the delegation as students of NIDS. The visitors were briefed by RSISMs. Laurie staff onGarette Chinese military modernization and the regionalspeaking security to students situa - tion, including the ASEAN Regionalof NTUForum. at theThe RSIS discus - Colloquium Dr. Sam Bateman of RSIS (third from the front, sion focused on regional security challenges in the Asia- right) hosting the European Union delegation Pacific region and the responses to these challenges.

Think Tank News from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Visit by African Leaders and Policymakers

From 13 to 17 July 2008, Singapore played host to a delegation of leaders and policymakers from eight Afri- can countries. The four-day working visit was organized by RSIS, and the Johannesburg-based Brenthurst Foundation and Business Leadership South Africa. The visitors came to The African leaders and policymakers having tea with the President, Mr. S R find out how Singapore managed to Nathan, at the Istana on 16 July 2008 transform itself from a Third-World to a First-World country within a • Mr. Bobby Godsell, Chairman, Minister Mr. Goh Chok Tong, Min- generation, as well as the social and Business Unity, South Africa ister for Foreign Affairs Mr. George economic policies behind the trans- • Dr. Neva Makgetla, Sector Strat- Yeo and Senior Minister of State for formation. They were interested in egies Coordinator, Office of the Trade and Industry, Mr. S Iswaran. how Singapore, a former colony of President, South Africa The visitors were also hosted to Britain that had no natural resources • Francis Gatare, Director-General, dinner by Senior Minister of State and a high unemployment rate of 25 Rwanda Investment and Export for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zainal Abi- per cent at the time of its independ- Promotion Agency, Rwanda din Rasheed. In addition, the Prime ence in 1965, was able to transform • Mr. Collen Kgengwenyane, Direc- Minister of Mozambique called on itself into a well-developed and high- tor, Training and Development, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. A income country within a generation. Office of the President, Botswana highlight of the visit was a lunch talk They believed that there are relevant • Mr. Ousman Tall, Director of given by former top senior civil serv- lessons to be learnt in both policies Planning and Policy, Ministry of- ant, Mr. Ngiam Tong Dow, which en- and processes, which could be tai- Agriculture, Liberia abled the visitors to learn first hand lored and adapted to the conditions • Ms. Heba Selama, Manager of from one of the people primarily in Africa. COMESA Regional Investment responsible for policymaking and The delegation was assembled Agency, Egypt implementation in the early years of and led by Dr. Greg Mills, Director Singapore’s progress. The intensive programme, or- of the Brenthurst Foundation, and Commenting on the visit, Dean ganized by RSIS, included meetings Mr. Michael Spicer, CEO of Business Barry Desker said: “We are pleased with senior officials of International Leadership South Africa. to host this visit by the African poli- Enterprise Singapore, the Economic Other distinguished participants cymakers. It allows them to learn Development Board, Jurong Town of the visit include the following. from the Singapore experience. Par- Corporation, PSA, National Trades ticularly useful is the emphasis by • Dr. Luisa Dias Diogo, Prime Min- Union Congress, Singapore Cooper- our policy makers on the need for ister of Mozambique ation Enterprise and Singapore Busi- effective governance and that there • Mr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, ness Federation. The delegation also are no short cuts to economic devel- Minister in the Prime Minister’s met the President, Mr. S R Nathan, opment.” Office of Kenya for a tea session as well as Senior • Mr. Festus Wangwe, Economist, Central Planning and Coordina- Dean Barry Desker with Dr. Luisa Dias Diogo, Prime Minister of Mozambique, tion, Kenyan Ministry of Planning on their way to the welcome dinner after a boat ride on the Singapore River. and National Development • Mr. Moeketsi Majoro, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Develop- ment, Lesotho • Mr. Max Sisulu, National Execu- tive Committee, African National Congress • Mr. Patrick Mazimhaka, Chair- man of the Governance Board, Brenthurst Foundation

Think Tank News from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Upcoming Events

28–29 August 2008 Ahlan Wa Sahlan (Warm Greetings) from Regional Workshop on Energy and NTS Damascus, Syria! Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, by Elena Pavlova Singapore

2 October 2008 Book Launch and Talk, “Trade Policy, New Century” by Razeen Sally Pod @ National Library, Singapore

18–19 November 2008 Elena Pavlova is an alum- “Between Rising Naval Powers: nus (Class of 2004) and Implications for Southeast Asia of a former Associate Re- the Rise of Chinese and Indian Naval search Fellow of RSIS. In Power”, a conference organized this letter to Think Tank, by RSIS and the National Maritime Elena reflects on her trip Foundation to Syria. Traders Hotel, Singapore

Elena at the ancient Roman city of Apamea, Syria tion with the Syrian government and promotes a traditional Islamic educa- fter four intensive and highly by the Prophet’s Companions and the tion in an all-Islamic environment. rewarding years at RSIS, I de- subsequent Umayyad and Abbasid To this day, I feel this was the best cided to take time off to learn Caliphates, Syria still bears the legacy decision I made in Syria. In addition to AArabic in the Middle East. My choice of its various forefathers. witnessing a genuine Islamic curricu- of Damascus, Syria, was prompted by Perhaps the best symbol of this cul- lum and traditional style of teaching, I the knowledgeable advice of two col- tural and religious coexistence is the also improved my Arabic significantly. leagues with the Contemporary Islam Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. Built Part of the reason is due to the enduring programme at RSIS. From the moment in the eighth century, it incorporates links that the Arabic language shares I arrived, I knew they had advised me the remains of a Christian basilica with its primal texts, the Holy Quran well. dedicated to St. John the Baptist, which and the Hadith collections. In addition to a welcoming and in turn was constructed over the ruins A second reason is the welcoming at- safe environment for learning Arabic, of an ancient Roman temple dedicat- mosphere in the school itself. Even as a Syria offers a unique experience for ed to Jupiter. It also houses the grave non-Muslim, I was encouraged to attend first-time visitors to the Middle East. of twelfth-century Arab commander classes on how to read the Holy Quran The land and its people are a verita- Salahuddin, who is famous for re-con- or learn about the Prophet’s biography, as ble micro-cosmos of civilizations, re- quering Jerusalem from the Crusader well as being invited to a private celebra- ligions and cultures. From the ancient armies. There is also a small shrine tion for Prophet Mohammad’s birthday! Phoenicians that inhabited it through dedicated to the Prophet’s grandson, I made many friends and, most impor- the communities of early Christians (it Hussein, venerated by Shi’a Muslims tantly, many lasting memories. was on the road to Damascus all over the world. Standing with the In September, I will be heading off to that St. Paul converted to splendours of its Umayyad architecture Princeton University, USA, to embark Christianity) to the and Byzantine mosaics, I was reminded on my first year as a Ph.D. student at seventh-century of the strong spirit of multiculturalism the Near Eastern Studies department. Islamic con- that Singapore embodies as well. I will be working closely with Profes- q u e s t s My first experience in learning Ara- sors Bernard Haykel and Muhammad bic was at the Arabic Language Centre Qasim Zaman to formulate a Ph.D. at Damascus University. With its eight topic covering salient themes from the levels and rapid pace, the course was a modern Muslim world. challenging, yet rewarding, experience. Looking back on my experiences, Upon graduation, I was able to read ba- and the road that took me to Prince- sic texts and listen to Al-Jazeera news. ton, I feel deeply indebted to RSIS for Having learned the importance of the solid intellectual foundations that ([email protected]) “total immersion” through the fieldwork it gave me, as well as to my RSIS col- that RSIS strongly encourages, I decid- leagues for their never-ending inspira- ed to take the plunge and go “native”. I tion and assistance. How else would donned a hijab and traditional Muslim I have taken the road less travelled, BOOKSMITH dress, and joined the all-girl classes at coming to Syria and enrolling at a tra- Abu Nour Islamic Foundation. The ditional Muslim school, if not being foundation was established by the late accompanied on my journey by RSIS’

The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus Produced by Sufi Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro in conjunc- logo, “Ponder the Improbable”.

Editor: Seng Woei Yuan Contributors: Ava Patricia Cabiguin Avila, Hoo Tiang Boon, Jason Berning, Jane Chan, Chie Hannah Ruth, Muhd Haniff Hassan, Elena Pavlova