First Plenary Session “Geopolitical Confrontation and Conflict: Implications for Security Strategies” with Dr. Joseph Liow Chin Yong (Tan Kah Kee Chair in Comparative and International Politics, Senior Research Advisor to S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore); General Jennie Carignan (Chief of the Defence Staff, Canadian Armed Forces, Canada); Major General (Ret.) Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum (Director of Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), USA); General Songwit Noonpakdee (Chief of Defence Forces, Royal Thai Armed Forces, Thailand); and moderator Professor Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak (Senior Fellow at Chulalongkorn University's Institute of Security and International Studies, Thailand)
BANGKOK — Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Suzanne Vares-Lum, director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, joined senior defense leaders at the Thailand Security Dialogue 2025 to emphasize the importance of trusted networks in navigating today’s complex security environment.
The two-day forum, held Aug. 30-31 in Bangkok, brought together government officials, military officers, diplomats, academics and think tanks from nearly 30 countries under the theme “Peace and Security in a Global Disruption.” Organized by the National Defense Studies Institute and the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, the dialogue marked its second edition as a platform for exchanging views on global power competition, regional security and emerging threats.
DKI APCSS Director Suzanne Vares-Lum speaking during the panel on Session “Geopolitical Confrontation and Conflict: Implications for Security Strategies
Vares-Lum participated in a high-level panel alongside the chiefs of defense from Canada and Thailand. She underscored the role of the Asia-Pacific Center in advancing regional cooperation and building capacity through its extensive alumni network.
“Centers like DKI APCSS are vital to strengthening trusted relationships that help us address shared security priorities in an increasingly complex world,” she said.
Her remarks echoed the U.S. principle of “peace through strength” and highlighted DKI APCSS’s alignment with U.S. national security priorities. She noted that the Center continues to foster dialogue, cooperation and capacity-building with allies and partners, including through its recent Royal Thai Armed Forces Strategic Studies Center course, the Senior Security Studies Program.
Gen. Songwit Noonpakdee, chief of defense forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, shared Thailand’s security outlook during the discussions, underscoring Bangkok’s role in advancing peace and stability in the region.
Several DKI APCSS alumni also joined the conference. In addition to Gen. Songwit Noonpakdee, other alumni attending included General (Ret.) Nothapol Boonngam, Dr. Elina Noor, Dr. Evan Laksmana, Rear Adm. Surasant Kongsiri, Senior Col. Thanita Wongjinda, and many more.
Vares-Lum’s participation reinforced U.S. engagement in ASEAN and reaffirmed the enduring U.S.-Thailand defense relationship, supported by alumni ties and bilateral cooperation agreements.
More information about the event is available at tsdndsi.com.
Left to right: Maj. Gen. Nirut Duanpanya, director of the Strategic Studies Center (SSC); Gen. (Ret.) Nothapol Boonngam; Director Suzanne Vares-Lum; Gen. Pongtep Gaewchaiyo, commanding general of the National Defense Studies Institute (NDSI)
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