Deterrence & Diplomacy

Chapter 6

Objective• Understand how Singapore manages

conflict and ensure national security

Managing National Security

Deterrence Diplomacy

Overview• Countries manage international

relations through deterrence & diplomacy (D&D)

• Singapore’s deterrence policy: prepared for any form of threats

• Singapore’s diplomatic policy: developing relationships with as many countries as possible.

Deterrence• Refers to measures taken by

countries to prevent and protect themselves from threats

• Maintaining military installations• Carrying out military exercises• Sharing information among countries• Installing CCTV cameras at train stations

Deterrence

A citizen armed force

Military co-operation with other countries

3rd Generation

SAF

Singapore’s defence industry

Total Defence

Multi-agency coordination

A citizen armed force• National Service (NS) was introduced in

1967 for all able-bodied male citizens

• Continue to serve as Operationally Ready Nsmen for another 10 years

• Undergo refresher courses

• Maintain competence in handling new weapons and equipment

3rd Generation SAF• Recent advances in info-

communication technologies

• SAF needs to maximise defense capabilities

• Soldiers can fight decisively in war & respond flexibly in peacetime.

Singapore’s defence industry

• SAF needs to be self-reliant in defence weapons

• DSTA provides cost-effective and modern technology to SAF and MINDEF

• Buys and upgrades weapons

• Conducts defence-related research & development

Total Defence• Singaporeans believe that Singapore is

worth defending and are involved in all defence efforts.

• Potential aggressors will think twice about attacking Singapore

• 5 aspects: Civil, Economic, Social, Psychological, Military

• Commemorated to remind Singaporeans not to take our security for granted.

Multi-agency coordination on

security• Various government agencies work

closely together to strengthen and enhance national security.

• Meet regularly to plan national security strategies and policies

• Work together with commercial and private parties to combat any form of major terror threats

Military co-operation• Friendly ties with the armed forces of

other countries• Agreements for Singapore troops to

train in countries such as France, Australia and India.

• Regular military training activities • FPDA established for nations to

cooperate and consult one another on measures to be taken

Group Work• Each group will take charge of each

measure on deterrence. • Discuss with group members on how

the measure helps to prevent & protect Singapore from threats.

• Write your responses on the butcher paper.

• Class discussion • 10 minutes for group work!

•Explain how each measure will ensure stability and peace in Singapore.

Importance of Deterrence

• Self-reliance after being “abandoned” during Japanese Occupation and Indonesian Confrontation

• Economy affected when defence is weak

• People do not feel secure and foreign companies are not willing to invest in Singapore

Deterrence

A citizen armed force

Military co-operation with other countries

3rd Generation

SAF

Singapore’s defence industry

Total Defence

Multi-agency coordination

Diplomacy• The way in which countries manage or

conduct relations with one another.

• Promote common interests and to resolve conflicting interests in a peaceful manner.

Diplomacy

Bilateral relations

Regional relations

International relations

Bilateral relations• Relationship between 2 countries

o E.g. Singapore & Japan, Singapore & USA, Singapore & Malaysia

• Singapore has been expanding bilateral relationships with many countries since its independence.

• Offering help in times of need: humanitarian aid to Aceh when the earthquake hit in 2004. Singapore sent medicine, first aid, food parcels, water, etc. for homeless victims.

Regional relations• An association of countries in a region

• Better position when dealing with other countries or associations. E.g. ASEAN, EU, SAARC

Regional relations• ASEAN initiatives

o ASEAN Free Trade Area, ASEAN Regional Forum, Education and professional exchange, economic cooperation & assistance, environmental collaboration

Education & Professional Exchange• Singapore has provided training to 1700

officials from Laos since 1993.• Training on IT skills, learning English

and handling trade promotions. • Scholarships offered to students of

ASEAN countries so when they return to their home country they can contribute to their country’s development.

International relations• Involve ties among many countries or

groupings throughout the world.

• United Nations (UN) helped Singapore by sending experts to advise and help in the economic and social development of the country

• Singapore received help in industrial planning and development in the 1970s

Importance of diplomacy

• Diplomacy provides an opportunity for countries to pursue mutual interests.

• It also enables them to cooperate with one another to solve common problems.

• It also helps countries resolve conflicts, differences and disagreements peacefully.

• Diplomacy also allows countries to help one another in times of need.

Diplomacy

Bilateral relations

Regional relations

International relations