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Sep 18, 2024 | 
thinkchina.sg | Abdul Rahman Yaacob
Lowy Institute research fellow Abdul Rahman Yaacob notes that while middle powers can play a role in defusing great power tensions in the Indo-Pacific, factors such as the Chinese military buildup, US-led minilateral defence arrangements and the lack of trust in multilateral security institutions could be powder kegs leading the region into a full-blown military conflict. The Indo-Pacific is the battleground of rivalry between China, a rising power, and the current hegemon, the US.
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Sep 7, 2024 | 
eastasiaforum.org | Muyi Yang |Abdul Rahman Yaacob |Genevieve Donnellon-May |Dinita Setyawati
Ensuring energy security is becoming increasingly crucial in Southeast Asia as the region navigates its transition towards a clean energy future. This is not an easy task, particularly for fast-growing Southeast Asian economies with rising demand for energy. At the heart of this challenge lies growing concerns over gas import dependence. Historically, gas has been a crucial component of Southeast Asia’s electricity supply.
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Sep 6, 2024 | 
channelnewsasia.com | Abdul Rahman Yaacob
CANBERRA: China and the Philippines reached a deal in July to enable the continuation of Philippine resupply missions at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The confrontation reached new heights in June when Manila accused Chinese forces of intercepting Philippine boats, seizing supplies and injuring a Filipino sailor. But the deal has not eased broader tensions as China reportedly fired flares “dangerously” close to Philippine aircraft multiple times in August.
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Sep 6, 2024 | 
eastasiaforum.org | Abdul Rahman Yaacob |Purnendra Jain |Maria Monica Wihardja
On 22 July 2024, US Forces Japan Commander Lieutenant General Ricky Rupp announced the creation of a new joint US–Japan forum to address the endemic issue of crimes committed off base by US military personnel stationed in Okinawa — particularly sex crimes. How Rupp’s forum will differ from the Cooperative Working Team established in October 2000 to address similar concerns is not clear. The Cooperative Working Team met 27 times until petering out in April 2017.
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Sep 4, 2024 | 
eastasiaforum.org | Abdul Rahman Yaacob |Genevieve Donnellon-May |Maria Monica Wihardja |Jayant Menon
The July 2024 East Asia Summit’s statement reinforces ASEAN’s vision to implement the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). But the AOIP faces significant challenges from two major trends that could alter its relevance in the region — the proliferation of minilateral defence arrangements and economic fragmentation. The AOIP advocates for ASEAN’s pivotal role in regional cooperation and decision making.
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Aug 29, 2024 | 
aspistrategist.org.au | Abdul Rahman Yaacob
Australia should understand that, from Malaysia’s perspective, being closer to China does not mean moving away from Australia or the West. Premier Anwar Ibrahim’s pro-China statements should be no cause for alarm. Misinterpreting Anwar’s actions …
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Aug 29, 2024 | 
aspistrategist.org.au | Abdul Rahman Yaacob
Australia should understand that, from Malaysia’s perspective, being closer to China does not mean moving away from Australia or the West. Premier Anwar Ibrahim’s pro-China statements should be no cause for alarm. Misinterpreting Anwar’s actions as pro-China could provoke unnecessary tension between Australia and Malaysia and thereby weaken regional security and prosperity, not least because the two countries are partners in the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).
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Apr 10, 2024 | 
eastasiaforum.org | Ayaka Hiraki |Yasuo Takao |Richard Katz |Abdul Rahman Yaacob
A shifting balance of power, escalating geopolitical competition and advancements in digital technology have expanded the boundaries of national security. As cutting-edge technologies are increasingly being developed by the civilian sector rather than the military, the nexus between the private economy and national security has deepened. The competition for technological superiority has broadened to include control over civilian technologies.
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Apr 2, 2024 | 
eastasiaforum.org | Abdul Rahman Yaacob |Gilang Kembara |Alicia Garcia-Herrero |Ayaka Hiraki
Vietnam’s relations with major powers are often described as non-aligned. This is usually linked to Hanoi’s ‘Four Nos’ policy — no military alliances, no siding with one country to act against another, no foreign military bases or using Vietnam as leverage to counteract other countries and no threat or use of force. The nonalignment strategy and healthy, balanced relations with major powers has served Vietnam well.
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Sep 27, 2023 | 
realcleardefense.com | Abdul Rahman Yaacob
Singapore and Brunei Navy personnel march during the opening ceremony of the military non-combat exercise called ASEAN Solidarity Exercise at Batu Ampar Port on Batam island, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Andaru Kz) A pyrrhic military cooperation or building capability for future contingency? The first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) joint military exercise, code-named ASEAN Solidarity Exercise 2023 (ASEX 2023), has just ended.
