Sixty-four senior military and civilian government leaders from 26 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region graduated May 20 from the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies “Executive Course: Advanced Security Cooperation.”  At the Center to study regional security at the six-week course, they received his diploma from retired Lt. Gen. Ed Smith, director of the Center. 

Countries represented at the course were: American Samoa, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Guam, India, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.

The six-week Course is focused on building relationships among mid-career leaders and decision makers within the region.  Its curriculum emphasizes the non-warfighting aspects of security and international relations, and challenges Fellows to develop regional and transnational perspectives.  Security is examined as a comprehensive mix of political, economic, social, military, diplomatic, information and ecological dimensions.

The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is a Department of Defense academic institute that addresses regional and global security issues.  Military and civilian representatives of the U.S. and Asia-Pacific nations participate in our comprehensive program of executive education, professional exchanges and outreach events, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. APCSS’ mission is to educate, connect, and empower security practitioners to advance Asia-Pacific security.

The Executive Course students discussed national policy, and how the economic, diplomatic, political, cultural and military elements of power affect stability and security of the region as a whole. To date, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies has had representatives from 46 countries attend the courses at the Center for a total of 3,494 alumni.

APCSS addresses regional and global security issues, inviting military and civilian representatives of the United States and 45 Asia-Pacific nations to its comprehensive program of courses and conferences, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.The Center supports the U.S. Pacific Command’s objective of developing professional and personal ties among national security establishments throughout the region. APCSS focuses on a multilateral and multi-dimensional approach to defining and addressing regional security issues and concerns. The most beneficial result is building relationships of trust and confidence among future leaders and decision-makers within the region.