Date/Time: 25 February 2011, 5.30-7pm / Venue: Room 103 (Senate House, First Floor)

Abstract: The Singapore success story has a lot to do with geography, politics, and economics. However, the island city-state would likely not be where it is today had it not implemented a prudent set defence and security policies upon gaining sovereign independence. In fact, prudent defence has become a key driver in the Singapore success story in various ways beyond territorial security.

Singapore’s approach to ‘defence’ has become just as much about politics (military sophistication provides access to joint cooperation, strategic partnerships and alliances with the major powers) and economics (its indigenous weapons industry competes in the global defence market). However, there may come a time when Singapore may arrive at certain prudential limits that its defence policies now afford, especially with regards to ensuring continued stability with neighbouring states. This presentation explores this trajectory.

Biography: Graham Ong-Webb is a Commonwealth Scholar from Singapore and recently graduated with a PhD from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London. He was an Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies in 2005-2006 and a Research Associate at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in 2002-2005, both based in Singapore. He has a Masters degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a Bachelors degree in Political Science (with High Honours) from the National University of Singapore.