Message from the Dean
Dear Readers,
The year drew to a close with Super Typhoon Haiyan devastating the Philippines. Extreme weather events are not only becoming more frequent. They are increasing in magnitude around the world. Yet, action at the global level on climate change remains anaemic. Concerted global and regional action on such cross-cutting issues remains difficult, partly because they impinge on issues of sovereignty and responsibility, and also because of the multitude of interests that clamour for a voice.
The way forward rests with countries being willing to cooperate with each other for the common regional and global good. The study of non-traditional security (NTS) contributes to this by framing the range of issues that require collective action that goes beyond narrow national interests. Work on NTS also serves to foreground the frameworks and processes that could help to impel such action.
RSIS is pleased to be at the forefront of this effort, and we hope that this RSIS NTS Year in Review goes some way towards teasing out the complexities and challenges, so as to provide you with an idea of where the region and the world are at on these issues. It is my hope that you will find this RSIS NTS Year in Review useful.
Ambassador Barry Desker
Dean
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)