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CURRENTS
Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies / Fall 2006
The Director’s Message................................................. 3
APCSS tests education technology................................ 4
Hails and Farewells....................................................... 5
Asia Pacific Collaborative Security Consortium................. 5
New Faculty/Faculty on the Move................................... 6
Guest Speakers and Distinguished Visitors................... 8-9
Courses................................................................. 10-16
Indonesia.................................................................... 17
Brunei, Cambodia, Oceania and Vietnam ................ 18-19
Bangladesh and Pakistan............................................. 20
Nepal.......................................................................... 21
Malaysia..................................................................... 22
Singapore................................................................... 23
Military Roles in Combating the
Underlying Conditions of Terrorism
................................
26
Maritime Security and Technology Cooperation.............. 25
Strategic Communication............................................. 25
Alumni News.......................................................... 26-33
Alumni Associations: Debunking the Myths............... 28-29
Alumni Honors........................................................ 34-37
Alumni in the Field.................................................. 38-39
Publications
Spotlight On Indus River Diplomacy...............................
40
New Joint Venture : APCSS co-publishes
with Russian University................................................ 40
Islam, Oil, and Geopolitics in Central Asia
after September 11..................................................
41
Calendar..............................................................................
42
APCSS Contacts............................................................... 43
Aloha from APCSS! 2006 has been a year of transformation here at APCSS as we have assessed in detail program content, format and scheduling. You can rest assured that the assessment has been thorough and forward looking. We have learned much. We’re wisely applying it to improve what we offer.
To date, I have traveled to around half of the countries which routinely supply participants in our programs, from in-residence courses, to conferences in Hawaii and the region, to research projects. The Deputy Director, Dean, Deputy Dean and many of the faculty have also traveled extensively in the region, enabling many inputs to our assessment of needs and requirements. Firsthand, we have identified what key security practitioners are dealing with daily, given various security environments. Alumni input to us in that regard has been very helpful. We have listened carefully, and we have made some adjustments in content, format and scheduling. In all cases we have done so to ensure that all our programs accomplish four tasks:
--one, attract participants who most need and can best profit from what we uniquely offer at APCSS
--two, offer these participants timely and well focused knowledge “additions” and help them practice applying same to the toughest security challenges now and ahead
--three, expand useful networks of seasoned collaborators who have gained confidence in each other’s judgment, and
--four, cause leaders to act responsibly to accomplish security cooperation steps they recognize as necessary and worth any associated risks.
Further, we are committing resources to upgrading our connectivity throughout the region to enrich the learning and sharing audience, physically in our physical plant in Honolulu and virtually using new technology that can connect us real-time to anywhere in the region. Our physical plant is scheduled for expansion by 2010, and our current facilities are gaining new educational technology, beginning with some items we are already installing and testing in seminar rooms. The idea is not only to share learning more efficiently, but also to introduce all who come to APCSS to more state of the art information technology, without which security practitioners are disadvantaged. Of course, participants may not have the same systems at home, but at least they will know it exists and how to gain access to some of it, collaboratively. This edition of Currents provides some further definition to that on Page 4.
Given a dynamic global and regional set of security issues that require focused attention daily by highly capable and networked leaders, we are confident we are conducting a program that will adaptively continue to identify and meet the current educational and leader-development needs of Asia-Pacific security practitioners. We feel sure we are doing so in a way that anticipates current and future real world security challenges. Most importantly, we are applying best practices to facilitate genuine improvements in APCSS people and systems.
At APCSS our focus remains on enabling leaders. We are committed to helping all those with whom we intersect, whether in Hawaii or throughout the region, to realize a new level of leader capacity. Our aim is to get the right challenges better understood because they’re more precisely analyzed, better addressed because the effort to do so is more collaborative, integrated and synchronized within and among national security practitioners, and better postured for long-lasting results favorable to the common good because networks were better leveraged to the advantage of all. The world is not only smaller and flatter; it’s more complicated and requires leader capacity at a new level.
APCSS, working with counterparts throughout the region and world, exists to help. And, we’re committed to doing so in a way that makes our learning and sharing experience highly sought for all the right reasons. We promise our best. Keep telling us how we can better help you. Mahalo for your loyal support!
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ed Smith, U.S. Army
Director,
Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
APCSS tests new education technology
Current regional issues aren’t the only thing being researched by APCSS faculty. In addition to revamping courses, staff and faculty are experimenting with a variety of new technologies to enhance the educational experience.
APCSS is installing wireless connectivity throughout the center so Fellows can connect to the Internet and the Fellows Local Area Network from anywhere at the center. We are also looking at ways to record auditorium presentations, with the accompanying graphics, and make them available to the Fellows in a way they can re-listen to all of the presentation or only those parts they want to review.
One of APCSS’s eight seminar rooms has been upgraded to include some of the latest technology including wireless internet connections, polling technology an electronic smart board and more.
According to Lt. Gen.
(Ret.) Smith, “these upgrades will be tested by faculty members to determine how
this technology can help seminar groups connect, globally and regionally, to
enrich our Fellows experience at
APCSS.” Additionally, APCSS is developing an improved learning portal that will
allow current and past Fellows to not only review course presentations, but also
to access a wide range of intellectual resources and engage in threaded
discussions with “communities of interest” of subjects of concern to them
professionally.
“We are looking at what technology will best enhance learning and improve sharing. Before we invest by upgrading all the seminar rooms we will test the equipment to ensure we are making the wisest purchases,” said Smith.
APCSS is also investing in technology that will enhance the ability of alumni to gain access to information resources during natural and made-made disasters. This technology is on track to be introduced during the next SSTR course and will be rolled out for regional use later next year.
Partnering with other regional experts
In the last year APCSS has established relations with 34 foreign educational institutes/think tanks in 16 countries. These relationships are leading to co-hosted conferences, workshops, mini-courses and other outreach projects in the region. Expected collaborations could include - virtual participation and curriculum enhancement via VTCs, partnering in co-hosting and presenting in Outreach and Conference workshops, faculty subject matter expert cooperation, and joint efforts in publications and research projects.
Here’s a partial listing of some of the organizations APCSS is working with or discussing possible future events:
Australia: Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies
Bangladesh: Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies and the Bangladesh National Defense University
Brunei: Institute of Defense Studies and the Civil Service Institute
Cambodia: Cambodia Institute for Cooperation and Peace
India: Institute of Defense Studies and Analyses, Institute for Conflict Management, and the Centre for Security Analysis
Indonesia: Department of Defense Education Department(DEPHAN)
Japan: National Institute for Defense Studies and Japan Institute of International Affairs
Korea: Korea Institute of Defense Analyses
Malaysia: Southeast Asian Regional Center for Counter Terrorism
Nepal: Center for Nepal and Asian Studies, Tribhuvan University
Pakistan: National Defense College and Bahria University
Philippines: National Defense College of the Philippines
Singapore: Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies
Sri Lanka: Kotowela Defense Academy, Bandaranaike Center for International Studies and Regional Centre for Strategic Studies
Thailand: National Defense Studies Institute and the National Defense College
Vietnam: National Defence College, Ministry of National Defence Institute for Military Strategy, Institute for Defence International Relations and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Institute for Int’l. Relations.
Regional Centers meet at APCSS
In October, APCSS welcomed representatives from the other Regional Centers, Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Ms. Mary Beth Long, and DSCA Director Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kohler. Topics of discussion included: OSD(Policy) and RC updates, DSCA administration management issues, the new Global Center, stability operations and a 1000-Ship Navy brief.
Hails and Farewells....
Alumni coming back to visit APCSS will notice a few changes as staff members change as many have gone on to promotions at other locations.
Admission’s Nestor Abellano, who had been with APCSS since 2004, departed for a position with the Navy. Cathy Moszkowicz is the new administrative support assistant for Admissions.
Kaelene Foo, who had been with APCSS since 2002, also left for a promotion.
Reference Librarian
David Long and mail and file clerk Galinda Long have moved
back to the mainland.
David was offered a promotion at Defense Technical Information Center in
Washington, DC. David Coleman, our new reference librarian, comes to us
from the University of Hawaii.
Johnette Chun of Civilian Personnel and head of the EEO Committee joined the staff at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. L.A. Jeffords-Mills has joined the APCSS staff as the personnel specialist.
Major Jim Serpa, formerly of APCSS Conference and also part of the executive staff, recently transferred to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. He is being replaced by Maj. Bryan Hendersen.
Laura Taylor, Executive Staff, departed APCSS in September.
Navy Captain (Sel.) Jeff Horton recently transferred to Denver, Colo. Cmdr Derek Webster takes over as the Resource Management Director.
Senior Chief (Storekeeper) Rodrigo has transferred and will be replaced by Senior Chief Danilo Tuason.
Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ryan Henry, met with Senior Executive Course Fellows last Spring to discuss the U.S.’s Quadrennial Defense Review. The goal of the visit was to listen to feedback on the QDR from senior leaders in the Asia-Pacific region.
Building two-way communications between nations is an important aspect of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. Courses, conferences and outreach events emphasize the need to build and maintain communications. In the future, the Regional International Outreach portal will create an electronic environment where Fellows can continue to provide feedback to the Center on regional issues.
Asia Pacific Collaborative Security Consortium (formerly the “Hawaii Model”)
APCSS has joined with five other Hawaii-based, DoD-funded
organizations to form a consortium called the Asia Pacific Collaborative
Security Consortium, or APCSC. This consortium “conducts international security
and stability related education, assessments, research, and outreach;
collaborating in order to build regional security capacity, improve regional
stability, and respond or mitigate strategic shocks, disasters, and humanitarian
crisis within the region. It does this in order to support national security
aims and respond to the humanitarian imperative.”
The APCSC is composed of the APCSS, the Pacific Disaster Center, the Maui High
Performance Computing Center, the Multi-National Planning and Augmentation Team,
and the Asia Pacific Area Network. Common to all these organizations is their
interest in broad aspects of security and regional stability – both from a
preventative perspective, as well as that of disaster and conflict response.
APCSC operates on the concept that the whole is greater than the sum of the
parts, and that free sharing of information and perspectives is not only a
benefit but a necessity in today’s security environment. It aims to increase the
individual effectiveness of each organization by increasing information sharing
among themselves and their alumni, as well as increasing the network capacity
across international and civilian - military boundaries. The presence of the
consortium will not alter the distinct and individual missions of the
constituent organizations, and each organization will continue to excel in its
respective area, maintain its won independence, and mature its own community of
interest. The collaboration and information sharing of the APCSC will be virtual
and a portal will be established to enable as broad a community as possible to
access it.
For more information on APCSC contact COL Charlie King, <kingc@apcss.org>.
What’s in a name? We have slightly changed the name of three courses in order to better portray their topical areas. The following changes are taking effect immediately:
Senior Executive Course now the Senior Executive Course: Transnational Security Cooperation;
Executive Course will be known as the Executive Course: Advanced Security Cooperation;
Junior Executive Course is now the Junior Executive Course: Asia-Pacific Security Foundations course.
Names of other APCSS courses will remain the same.
Captain Bradley B. Smith,
Program Manager,
Outreach & Conferences
Captain Brad Smith joined APCSS in August 2006, having served the previous three years as the Director, Naval Command College – the senior international college at U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.
Capt. Smith has spent the majority of his military career flying at sea, logging 3,600 S-3B Viking flight hours and 600 carrier landings during sea-deployments to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, South Pacific and Arabian Gulf. Operational assignments include Air Anti-Submarine Squadron THREE ZERO (VS-30) embarked on USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) and USS SARATOGA (CV-60), Carrier Air Wing Staff and VS-32 during Operation DESERT STORM onboard USS AMERICA (CV-66), and commanding Sea Control Squadron THREE ONE (VS-31)”Topcats” onboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74). Ashore assignments include RAG instructor, VS-27, Joint Strategic Plans Officer, J5, U.S. Pacific Command, Hawaii, and J5 Deputy Division Chief for Europe at U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.
Capt. Smith holds a Masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, Advanced Staff College course at the Royal Air Force Staff College, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Col Charles A. King
Military Professor
Colonel Charlie King joined the Asia-Pacific Center in May 2006 as the course director for the Stability, Security, Transition, and Reconstruction (SSTR) course. Prior to joining APCSS, he served with the Special Operations Command, Pacific as the Chief of Staff as well as the Director of Plans, Programs, and Exercises. While there he participated in Operation Unified Assistance and Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines, to include a deployment as Commander, Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines (JSOTF-P).
Col. King enlisted in the Army in 1977 and served as an infantryman with the 101st Airborne Division prior to attending Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned in the Infantry in April 1978, and subsequently served over 25 years in Infantry or Special Forces assignments. He has served at Fort Bragg, N.C. with the 5th Special Forces Group as an SF Detachment Commander, and with the Berlin Brigade, Berlin Germany, as a rifle company commander and a battalion S-3. From 1990 until 1995, Col. King served with the 10th Special Forces Group, Fort Devens, Mass. where he held a variety of positions. During this time he participated in Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Provide Comfort I & II, and Operation Support Hope. He has commanded at both the battalion and brigade level with the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, which is DoD’s institutional training base for Special Forces, Psychological Operations, and Civil Affairs.
Col. King’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (6), Army Commendation Medal (4), South West Asia Campaign Medal (3), and the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation (5). He wears both the Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab, and holds a Master Parachutist rating. He is a graduate of Tufts University, the Joint Forces Staff College, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College (MS in Strategic Studies).
Faculty Members on the Move...and on the Road
As with every organization, some change is inevitable. APCSS was sorry to see a number of faculty members depart this year.
Richard Bitzinger departed APCSS for a new position as a Senior Fellow with the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies (IDSS) in Singapore.
Col. Maurice Hutchinson retired from active duty and is now focused on his art career.
Dr. Chris Jasparro has moved to Virginia and is now teaching at the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
In July, Terry Klapakis was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Auto Group.
Dr. Paul Smith has joined the staff of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
Cmdr. Bette Bush has spent the last year in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Congratulations to our new associate professors: Dr. Ian Storey, Tom Peterman and Dr. Virginia Watson. They were promoted in June 2006.
Lieutenant Colonel Greg McGuire is the Senior Army Fellow with the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. His research is currently focused on assessing the impact of the Asia-Pacific Center on defense security cooperation objectives throughout the region.
Last Spring, Mr. Tom Peterman traveled to Garmisch, Germany to attend and serve as a visiting instructor at the Marshall Center’s Terrorism and Security Studies Course. Mr. Peterman also explored the feasibility of faculty exchanges between APCSS and Marshall Center and has recommended short-term faculty exchanges between the two Centers.
In June, Dr. Elizabeth Davis attended the “China’s Global Activism: Implications for U.S. Security Interests” Conference at the National Defense University in Washington D.C. to examine China’s role in Asia and U.S. policy responses. The conference provided useful insights into China’s rapid economic growth, increasingly sophisticated diplomacy, and military modernization efforts that support increased activism and expanded influence both within Asia and in other regions of the world
In July, Dr. Donald Berlin participated in the East Africa and Southwest Indian Ocean Maritime Security Conference in Antananarivo, Madagascar co-hosted by the government of Madagascar, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and USDAO Madagascar. Dr. Berlin presented a brief on international legal factors affecting maritime security and facilitated small group discussions among senior military and maritime officials from Yemen, Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, France, Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Great Britain.
Also in July Dr. Eric
Shibuya was a guest instructor for the Center for Asymmetric Warfare (CAW)
and Joint Task Force-Homeland Defense on Kwajalein Atoll,
Republic of the Marshall Islands. His contribution to the Maritime Security
Table Top Exercise included maritime threats and pandemic influenza issues. He
was told to expect future requests for his support on upcoming USARPAC and CAW
outreach events.
Major Michael Weisz attended the U.S.-Japan Civil Military Disaster Assistance Seminar at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. The workshop focused on U.S. and Japan furthering cooperation by building on each other’s HA/DR capabilities.
In August, Lt. Col. Randy Lawrence participated in Strong Angel III in San Diego. The exercise simulated a viral pandemic, and at the same time, a terrorist network launched a wave of cyber-attacks that disabled communications throughout the area when they’re needed most. Dr. Virginia Watson participated in the 75th Gordon Research Conference on “Science & Technology Policy” in Montana.
Dr. Robert Wirsing participated in a workshop titled “India’s Vision of Itself,” co-sponsored by the DOS Bureau of Intelligence and Research and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. It was the third of four workshops focused on this theme.
In September, a number of faculty traveled worldwide for outreach and research.
Dr. Rouben Azizian participated in the seminar on “Countering Ideological Support for Terrorism” at the Marshall Center in Germany.
Dr. Yoshiro Sato traveled to Japan to conduct research on Japan’s Maritime Security Initiatives.
Mr. Herman Finley traveled to Indonesia and Singapore to research “Building Crisis Response Networks in Asia-Pacific Region: A Framework for Policymakers.”
Dr. David Fouse traveled to Japan to conduct research on “The Dispatch of Japan’s GSDF to Iraq: Lessons Learned.”
Dr. Virginia Watson participated in the 23rd Oxford Analytical International Conference in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Robert Wirsing participated in the first conference on southern Asia Water Cooperation sponsored by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in the United Arab Emirates Sept. 16-24.
Dr. Ian Storey traveled to Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia to conduct research on combating threats of Maritime Security in South Asia.
Dr. Mohan Malik participated in the Canadian Pacific Command conference on Maritime Security in Canada Sept. 27-Oct. 1.
One of the many benefits of attending the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is the opportunity to meet and listen to numerous guest speakers. Guest Speakers include military and civilian leaders, subject matter experts working in their field and experts from other prestigious organizations.
Former PACOM Commander speaks to EC06-2
The Asia-Pacific region is challenged by a number of problems, both old and new. That was the topic of discussion when retired Navy Admiral Dennis Blair spoke to the Fellows of Executive Course 06-2 at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies on Aug. 10th.
Admiral Blair spoke about the changes in the Asia-Pacific since he served as the commander of U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) four years ago.
He identified some old problems such as tensions between Taiwan and China as well as tensions on the Korean Peninsula. He felt that over the years the potential for conventional military conflicts in these areas have diminished greatly.
The new problems included terrorism by fundamentalist groups, piracy, and natural disasters including spread of the avian flu. He praised the countries in the Asia-Pacific for working together so well to deal with these problems especially the humanitarian responses in the wake of the 2004 Tsunami.
He urged countries to continue building strong internal inter-agency responses as well as transnational solutions.
Admiral Blair is president of the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) He is a former U.S. PACOM Commander serving from February 1999 to May 2002.
Admiral Blair has been a supporter of APCSS since he helped cut the ribbon for the Ft. DeRussy location in August 2000.
PACOM Orientation Course
The new Pacific Command (PACOM) Action Officer Course was inaugurated Sept. 18-22. The three-day course provides an orientation on trends and current issues shaping the Asia-Pacific security environment. The curriculum examines: Security Foundations, Regional Security Perspectives, Transnational Issues and Cooperation, Governance, Development, and Security, and Comprehensive Security Issues. Attention is given to both historical and emerging issues.
Senior Executive Course: Transnational Security Cooperation
The theme of the Senior Executive Course is “Cooperation on Transnational Threats.” Its objectives are to explore the impacts of transnational threats on regional security interests; develop approaches for enhancing security cooperation to counter transnational threats; and establish enduring personal and professional relationships. The course has extensive workshops and presentations covering lessons learned from relevant and recent disasters aimed at prioritizing and developing strategies to cope with and in some cases prevent transnational threats. A combination of workshops, small group learning, case studies, and lectures are used throughout the five-day course.
The course draws from the Asia-Pacific region’s 40-plus countries and territories, with an average class size of 24 Fellows, ranging in rank from one- to four-star level, and their civilian equivalents. SEC 06-1 was conducted May 1-5 and SEC 06-2, July 24-28. The course in May received a briefing on the Quadrennial Defense Review, released by the U.S. Dept. of Defense in February 2006. The honorable Mr. Ryan Henry from the Office of the Secretary of Defense received positive feedback from the Fellows.
As with recent SEC courses we continue to solicit participation from our APCSS Foundation Members. We are extremely appreciative of their taking time out of their busy schedules to receive brief-backs and offering unique insights from their perspectives as successful businessmen.
Executive Course (06-2 & 06-3)
Advanced Security Cooperation
The Executive Course: Advanced Security Cooperation focuses on identifying opportunities and developing approaches for enhanced regional security cooperation. The course offers an intensive, broad and interactive program which outlines the foundations of security studies, provides an overview of regional security perspectives, examines transnational security challenges and discusses the role of governance and development in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
According to Dr. Rouben Azizian, the EC course manager, the course continues to be streamlined and adapted to security realities in the region. While individual presentations and seminar discussions reflect the diversity of the faculty, the course management attempts to further improve the coherence of each of its three modules and of the course itself. The Fellows’ feedback remains a vital source of innovations in the course.
The goals of the Course are to:
• Address security issues of common concern to Asia-Pacific nations.
• Develop approaches to enhance international and interagency security cooperation.
• Enhance leader skills and ability to communicate, analyze and act at team level.
• Extend the network of professional relationships among security practitioners.
The course is composed of three required elements: a core curriculum, a specialized studies program, and a professional enhancement program.
The core curriculum provides grounding in significant issues affecting the Asia-Pacific Region. The specialized studies program complements the core curriculum and provides Fellows the opportunity to broaden and deepen their studies on selected topics. Each Fellow is encouraged to participate in at least two elective courses and can also write a research paper. The professional enhancement program expands Fellows’ personal and professional horizons by offering a varied menu of skills courses, such as computer or media skills, extended seminars and workshops, presentations from eminent professionals in the security arena, and visits to important security-related organizations.
Lunchtime Learning
In the Summer of 2006, APCSS began encouraging Fellows to share their know-ledge during “Brown Bag Lunches.” Here is a listing of some of the presentations:
q Sun Tsu’s “Art of War”
q Australian Naval Doctrine
q
Musashi’s “Book of Five Rings:
Japan’s Art of War”
q The Indian Art of War: The Mahabharata Paradigm
q The Role of Congress in U.S. Foreign Policy Decision-making
q Kingdom in the Clouds: Maoist Insurgency, Regime Change, and Challenges of Democratic Transition
Comprehensive Security Responses to Terrorism
The goals of the Comprehensive Security Responses to Terrorism course are to develop a common understanding and a sense of shared responsibility toward terrorism and transnational threats that support terrorism in the region, build the trust necessary for productive partnerships, and examine ways to improve information sharing and multinational strategies to counter terrorist threats. The course includes presentations aimed at defining terrorism in the context of internal and transnational threats, analyzing tools and capabilities and promoting strategies best suited to combat terrorism. A combination of lecture, small group learning, case studies, and a gaming exercise are used for instruction.
The three-week CSRT, draws Fellows from across the globe. CSRT Course 06-1 was held in March 2006 with 41 Fellows from 18 countries. CSRT Course 06-2 was held in August 2006 with 35 Fellows from 24 countries. Additionally, APCSS draws on subject matter experts and adjunct faculty from several regional institutions to assist with the course.
Stability, Security, Transition and Reconstruction
Preparing security practitioners to deal with contemporary stability challenges in a comprehensive manner across the spectrum of instability and stability, is the focus of a new course at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. The first Stability, Security, Transition and Reconstruction (SSTR) course kicked off at APCSS in August with 26 Fellows, representing military, constabulary, diplomatic, academic, and humanitarian professionals, spanning 17 Asia-Pacific countries.
The three-week course was aimed at preparing security practitioners from across government and private sector to, not only successfully participate in post-conflict and post-complex emergency stabilization and reconstruction operations and activities, but also to plan, evaluate, and execute proactively in order to avert or mitigate brewing conflicts and complex emergencies.
Last November, the U. S. Secretary of Defense directed that within the U.S. military stability operations (defined as “military and civilian activities conducted across the spectrum from peace to conflict to establish or maintain order in states and regions) should have the same priority as combat operations. The course’s focus begins in a preemptive and preventative mode, and extends well beyond crisis response. For instance, according to Major Mike Weisz, Deputy Course Coordinator, “reconstruction activities, although considered to be a part of stability operations, are nonetheless longer term, focused on the post-conflict/post-destructive phase, are generally civilian led, and are broader in scope and consider such diverse areas as security, governance, justice, and economic and infrastructure development.” In addition to reconstruction activities, types of stability operations “include preventive diplomacy, developmental aid to nation-states, peace operations, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, and combating terrorism to name but a few.”
The SSTR Course grew out of a simultaneous appreciation for the changing strategic environment, is consistent with recent U.S. presidential directives and fully supports U.S. Department of State and DoD initiatives. Since the end of the Cold War, the world has witnessed an increase in intrastate conflict (civil war, ethnic conflict, etc.), and the concomitant humanitarian crisis and complex emergencies that often result from such conflicts. At the same time we are painfully aware that natural disasters are proving more destructive than ever due to the compounding effect of insufficient emergency response structures, pre-existing environmental damage, and population stress. Effective stability, security and reconstruction activities are a way to either prevent or mitigate the effects of those conflicts, crises, and emergencies.
The course, takes a comprehensive approach to security, stability operations and reconstruction activities. Its content focuses on three broad topic areas: (1) pre-conflict/complex emergency condition-setting, (2) post-conflict/complex emergency transitions, and (3) post-conflict/complex emergency reconstruction. The course also addresses basic definitions and types of stability operations, coalition building and inter-agency coordination, interventions and occupations, post-conflict/complex emergency reconstruction steps, transition planning, and strategic communications, information management and complex problem solving.
Participants learn through activity-based seminars and role-playing exercises. The curriculum is designed to impart vital knowledge as well as to develop leaders’ skills and frameworks in order to improve the effectiveness of SSTR practitioners.
The following Outreach events are planned. Please check our website at www.apcss.org for the latest updates on events, dates and locations.
vIndia
“Disaster
Relief: Improving Littoral S. Asia Community Response”
February 07, Partnered with NESA
and PDC
vCambodia
“Managing Porous Borders in SEA”
March 07, Partnered with Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace
vJapan
“Energy Security in the Asia-Pacific”
March 07, Partnered with JIIA
vBrunei
“Disaster Relief Management”
June 07
vHonolulu
“East Asia Confidence and Security Building Measures Trilateral Workshop” (Japan, China & US)
January 07, Partnered with Stanley Foundation
vPossible Events
Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nepal
Lt. Gen. Ed Smith, Amb. Charles Salmon, and Dr. Greg Barton represented the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) at a Senior Inter-Agency Advisory and Process on National and Transnational Threats conference held in Jakarta, Indonesia May 15-17, 2006. more
Director visits Brunei, Cambodia and Vietnam
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ed Smith continues to live up to his promise to visit as many Asia-Pacific countries as he could in his first year at APCSS. To wrap up the year he traveled to Vietnam, Cambodia and Brunei, bringing the total number of countries he visited to 17.
These visits are part of a plan to continue to assess regional security practitioner executive educational and professional development needs.
While in these countries, he met with senior officials to discuss widening the pool of APCSS resident-course attendees beyond government officials to include “regional influencers” regularly involved in Asia-Pacific security issues, such as non-government organizations and media representatives. Most regional officials supplying Fellows to APCSS programs also supported short-duration courses to ensure the right leaders could routinely be released to attend.
An important part of these visits is hearing from the host countries how APCSS can tailor programs to meet regional needs. Cambodian officials suggested APCSS co-host a multi-national conference in Cambodia addressing S.E. Asia land and sea border control and related regional trafficking challenges, and a Brunei official suggested a seminar there addressing improvements to that government’s inter-agency coordination of disaster management. Both requests for support will be developed into outreach events conducted within the next year.
The launching of the new APCSS Stability, Security, Transitions and Reconstruction (SSTR) Course was also discussed and well supported by officials from all three countries. All expressed their support for this kind of timely, hands-on case-study dialogue and practice among likely multi-national and multi-lateral partners. APCSS emphasis on sharing best practices related to high-level inter-agency coordination was repeatedly cited as unique value-added. more
Ambassador Salmon meets with alumni in the South Pacific
In June 2006, Ambassador Charles Salmon visited a number of countries throughout the Pacific including: the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Tonga. He was on a public diplomacy trip funded by the U.S. Department of State. He participated in well-attended discussions in each country; as well as TV, radio, and press interviews focusing on regional and transnational security issues. In each country, the U.S. ambassador hosted special events so that Amb. Salmon could meet with APCSS alumni and brief them on the latest developments at the Center.
The APCSS alumni all stated their strong support for the Center and stressed how important the APCSS experience had been for their professional development. They also were grateful for the APCSS alumni effort which facilitated their contacts with their classmates.
APCSS reaches out to Pakistan and Bangladesh
APCSS director retired Army Lt. Gen. Ed Smith recently visited Pakistan and Bangladesh to discuss upcoming events and opportunities as well as get feedback on APCSS programs. The 10-day trip took place in September with positive results.
According to Lt. Gen. Smith, “Many obvious and some not so obvious security-sector challenges impact both Pakistan and Bangladesh, directly and indirectly. Having the opportunity to discuss them firsthand in country with key officials has helped APCSS analyze how it can best assist in its in-residence and outreach educational and leader development programs.”
According to Lt. Col. John Gasner, chief of the APCSS alumni and outreach branch, “everyone praised APCSS’ new strategic direction, including the ideas of reducing course lengths; broadening the prospective pool of course participants to include NGOs and media personnel; adding the Security, Stability, Transitions and Reconstruction course; and most of all, expanding the APCSS mission to include outreach education.”
In Pakistan, the director met with key members of the U.S. embassy country team, principal host-nation government officials and leaders of various educational institutions and think tanks, all of whom enthusiastically supported APCSS and its programs.
Pakistani officials encouraged APCSS to present an outreach event in Pakistan, recommending several possible topics for discussion, including border control and integrating national and international security priorities.
According to Gasner, “We will study the possibility of providing such an outreach event probably in support of the NESA Center.” Lt. Gen. Smith and Lt. Col. Gasner also met with APCSS and NESA alumni for a roundtable discussion and reception. “The alumni are enthusiastic about forming a joint alumni association,” said Gasner.
In Bangladesh, representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense energetically supported APCSS and its programs. Both expressed desire for enhanced cooperation with APCSS, including faculty visits and in-country seminars/workshops.
They also visited educational and research organizations such as the National Defense College and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) to discuss possible future collaborations. more...
Nepal: assisting in a time of transition
In August, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies conducted a five-day bilateral workshop on “Democratic Transition and Security Reform in Nepal” in partnership with the Kathmandu-based Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies. Nepali officials from six major political parties, the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, Ministries of Defense and Home, security analysts and academics; and the U.S. embassy diplomats participated in the workshop.
The APCSS team led by Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ed Smith facilitated a focused dialogue among the participants to generate ideas and proposals related to a more stable security and governance environment in Nepal. The results of the workshop were briefed to the Prime Minister and other senior government officials of Nepal.
According to U.S. Ambassador James Moriarty, “the APCSS team’s focus on the civil-military practitioner and its emphasis on working toward a useful project was precisely what I hoped for to the Government of Nepal at this critical stage of transition. I believe it has done much to restore confidence between the civilian leadership and the security forces, to strengthen civilian control over its security forces, and to give the security forces a meaningful stage in the democratic transition.”
Counter-Terrorism course held in Malaysia with SEARCCT
In May 2006, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) and the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) jointly hosted a one-week course entitled “Malaysia Outreach Counter-Terrorism Program,” held in Kuala Lumpur. Twenty-seven Fellows, from seven different Asia-Pacific nations, attended the course. The theme of the course focused on terrorists’ use and exploitation of the internet.
According to Dr. Paul Smith, who directed the course, “Terrorists have taken advantage of the internet in the contemporary era the same way that terrorists in the 1960s began to exploit the power of live television.” The course explored various ways in which contemporary terrorists are utilizing the internet, including the spreading of propaganda, cataloguing of attacks, raising of funds, and recruitment.
In addition, the course looked at how the internet is being used for activities traditionally classified as ‘cyber-terrorism,’ including the role of the internet in terrorism information operations, cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, and denial of service attacks. The course featured a number of practical exercises, including one which explored how governments could use the internet to help dissuade individuals.
This was the first joint Outreach event co-hosted by APCSS and the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism.
Security Cooperation in Southeast Asia
APCSS partners with Singapore’s IDSS for conference on Southeast Asia
APCSS recently co-hosted a three-day conference on “Security Cooperation and Governance in Southeast Asia: Responding to Terrorism, Insurgency, and Separatist Violence in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines” in Singapore. More than 80 attended the events which was co-hosted with the Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies.
This conference provided a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the current status and prospects for resolution of the three primary security threats facing Southeast Asia today: separatism, insurgency, and terrorism. It also helped identify the relationships and dynamics linking these three threats; looked at lessons learned from security responses to date; and identified regional needs and opportunities for regional and extra-regional engagement to address current and potential threats.
Examples of the Conference discussions
Aceh
The December 26, 2004, earthquake and tsunami was critical in: i) opening the way for international involvement in the region and providing the Indonesian military (TNI) an occasion to be rewarded for reform and openness; ii) focusing attention on achieving peace if long term aid was to continue to flow; iii) consolidating the political will of the Government of Indonesia (GOI) to push for a comprehensive settlement and; iv) in convincing the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) that the time had come for a negotiated conclusion to hostilities.
The second key factor was the presence of the newly elected president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who had a clear public mandate as a result of Indonesia’s first direct presidential elections, a good working relationship with his former colleagues in the TNI, and considerable prior experience in the Wahid and Megawati administrations as coordinating minister for political and security affairs in working toward a settlement in Aceh.
Southern Thailand
The underlying issue is essentially an ethno-nationalist one – it is bound up with Malay identity and the failure of the government in Bangkok to accommodate Malay aspirations. Religion is very much a secondary issue. This is about Malayness not about Islam, and linkages with ulama (Islamic scholars), mosque and madrasah (Islamic schools) are secondary and essentially coincidental as sites for traditional Malay community consultation and leadership.
Mindanao
Islam plays a much greater role in the southern Philippines than it does in southern Thailand but even there it is important to understand that Islam is but one factor in a very complicated mix.
This is true even within the MILF which is so highly factionalized as to no longer represent a single, coherent, organization. Some factions are strongly motivated by Islamist, and even jihadi Islamist, political aspirations whereas others are willing to negotiate with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and accept secular government and social pluralism. The role of personal charisma and personal networks cannot be underestimated.
There is a great multiplicity of key actors and most are very fluid in their orientation. This needs to be kept in mind in analyzing current and future JI links with MILF factions.
Dr. Eric Shibuya made the most of a recent trip to Oceania. During his trip he participated in a maritime security exercise in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands and also spoke on “Terrorism Threats in the Pacific” as part of a lecture series co-sponsored by U.S. Embassy and College of Micronesia (Pohnpei), Shibuya also spoke on terrorism issues with Pohnpei State Police, representatives of the legislature. In addition, he spoke about Oceania security issues and on the Pohnpei state radio.
Military roles in combating the underlying conditions of terrorism
Thirty-eight counterterrorism professionals gathered at APCSS in April 2006 to examine the roles of the U.S. military in combating the underlying conditions of terrorism.
The Joint Staff Conference was co-sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Command, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, and the Center for Strategic Leadership of the U.S. Army War College (USAWC). Conducted for U.S. government officials, participants dealt specifically with the role and contributions of combatant commands within an interagency framework in countering the ideological support to terrorism.
In the last year a new National Strategy for Combating Terrorism has been written that identifies three ways for defeating terrorism: Protect the Homeland; Attack Terrorist Networks; and Counter Ideological Support for Terrorism. The effort to counter terrorist ideology has not received the priority of the other two NSTC pillars. However, as many speakers noted, the war against terrorism will be long, and if it is to be successful, must address the conditions that terrorists seek to exploit. The centers of gravity for the war on terror are the populations that can provide sanctuaries, safe havens, or recruitment for terrorists.
This conference brought together key interagency representatives from the Combatant Commands (CoComs) to analyze the use of the military element of national power in supporting U.S. efforts to Counter Ideological Support to Terrorism. A significant outcome of this conference was that it allowed CoCom representatives to learn the latest interagency programs that address CIST and the implementation challenges. The interagency representatives learned how the military element of power has been successfully used to support interagency efforts to address local conditions that terrorists seek to exploit. This synergy resulted in valuable recommendations for improving the process by which the U.S. directs its CIST efforts. The military element of national power will rarely lead these efforts, but it can provide substantial and invaluable support to the interagency mechanisms, processes and programs needed to effectively counter the ideological support to terrorism.
Maritime Security & Technology Cooperation in Asia-Pacific
In August, APCSS hosted the Maritime Security and Technology Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific conference.
The objective for this conference was to discuss challenges and opportunities in technology cooperation in Asia-Pacific maritime security. Additional objectives included a discussion of the lessons learned and best practices in improving the maritime technology environment in the region; an assessment of the possibilities for system- and region-wide approaches toward establishing Maritime Domain Awareness and interoperability of platforms; and a discussion of existing and future models and approaches for maritime security technology cooperation.
“The conference is an initial effort towards creating a common frame of reference in addressing Asia-Pacific maritime issues,” said Dr. Virginia Bacay-Watson. “At the core of the conference is the notion that technology cooperation in maritime security means the development of alliances---regional alliances in the realm of scientific and technical knowledge that will serve to strengthen existing partnerships and be instrumental in creating new ones.”
According to one participant: “APCSS serves in a critical role as a forum for frank and open discussion among all the many nations sharing serious challenges in maritime security. These are vital issues for world economic and political stability.”
“Many shared issues exist” said another conference participant. “There is strength in partnered efforts, [and] further work is needed.”
Regional Centers: Advancing the art of strategic communication
Communication practitioners from the Regional Centers, Combatant Commands and components, as well as academics, met in August to discuss how to advance the art of strategic communication. The event was kicked off with a VTC by Rear Adm. Frank Thorp, OSD (Joint Communication), who discussed the Quadrennial Review’s Strategic Communication Roadmap (SCRM). Mr. Bob Giesler, OSD, provided the Information Operations perspective on the evolving SC culture.
Discussions occurred on a number of levels including how RCs fit into the overall DoD framework for SC and can assist with training of new SC practitioners and how RCs can assist with sharing and synchronizing messages with other nations via our communities/alumni.
Alumni On-Line
Alumni can share contact information, ideas, and much more on the Alumni Network. To get the Alumni Network go to www.apcss.org, click on “Alumni Net,” and type in your Login ID and Password. If you do not have a Login ID and password, you must register for an account. Click Register now! Please contact us at AlumniDivision@apcss.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Changes within the Outreach and Alumni Branch
The Outreach and Alumni Coordination Branch would like to welcome U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael S. Mollohan, Sr. He will serve as the Deputy Chief, Outreach and Coordination Alumni Branch. Prior to this assignment he was a Plans Officer with U.S. Marine Forces Pacific at Camp Smith, Hawaii. Mike and his wife, Camille ‘Cam’, have two children – Michael Jr. (9 ) and Savannah McCrae (6). In addition to being fluent in Thai and Russian, he enjoys golf, traveling, and coaching sports.
Capt. Cami L. Johnson, U.S. Air Force, assistant chief, Outreach and Alumni Coordination Branch, is set to transfer to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey in December. She will serve as a wing plans officer by providing manpower planning and coordination in establishing a joint base implementation office at McChord and McGuire Air Force bases. Cami has definitely proved to be a tremendous asset to U.S. Pacific Command, APCSS and the alumni staff, and will be missed by the many friends and colleagues that she has made during her time here in Hawaii.
Vincent Hall departed the Alumni family for a wonderful position as an administrative support specialist in the Multi-Service Market Management Office at Tripler Army Medical Center here. He was a wonderful talent to the alumni staff, and will be sorely missed. We wish him the very best!
There are a number of different outreach events in the planning stages. See page 17 for more information and check our website at www.apcss.org for the most up to date information.
Condolences
Col. Sjahrial Saibi (EC04-2), Indonesia, reported that Executive Course 01-3 graduate, Rear Adm. Deradjatun Soetisna, passed away on April, 25, 2006. His last position was as the Assistant Chief Security of Indonesian Navy. We extend our sincerest condolences to his family and to Indonesia for their loss.
Capt. Basiron Bin Haji Mohd Noh (EC97-1), Malaysia, passed away in June 2006 due to illness. His last appointment was as the Project Leader of the New Generation Patrol Vessel in Malaysia. The family and friends of Captain Basiron are in the Center’s thoughts and prayers.
The Pakistan International Airlines passenger plane that crashed into a field near Multan Airport (Pakistan), on July 10 2006, claimed the life of Brigadier Farhat Sabir, (EC 01-1). The family and friends of Brigadier Sabir are in the Center’s thoughts and prayers.
(Photo) Alumni from Papua New Guinea Ralph Avosa of EC98-2 (right) and Col. Joe Fabila of EC02-1 (left), present a gift to Brig. Gen. (Ret.) James Hirai, APCSS Deputy Director, on behalf of the newly established Papua New Guinea APCSS Alumni Association. They were on Oahu for the 2006 Pacific Area Senior Officers Logistics Seminar (PASOLS).
Madagascar
Thirty-four alumni from Madagascar attended a community reunion meeting last May. At the conclusion of the meeting, there was consensus among the community members to launch a joint chapter in Madagascar. Seven volunteers, representing both the Africa Center and APCSS, offered to serve as the Planning Committee.
Philippines
Good news from the APCSS Philippines Alumni Association and EC02-3 graduate Charie Joaquin: “I am happy to share with you that the recent General Assembly, Election of Officers, and Members of the Board were successfully conducted on 17 March 2006 at the Daza Park Pavilion, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“Three Fellows have been elected to the APA Board:
Brig. Gen. Nelson Allaga (EC05-3), Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps; Police Director Rodolfo Tor (EC04-3) of the Philippine National Police; and Police Senior Superintendent (Colonel) Lina Sarmiento (EC05-3) of the Philippine National Police.
“The new members will join eight other members of the Board, namely, Undersecretary Jose Tale, Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina (SEC03-2), Charithie Joaquin (EC02-3), Brig. Gen. Nagamora Lomodag, AFP (Ret) (EC02-1), Director Ma Edna L Guevara (CSRT 04-1, EC00-3), Maj. Gen. Raul Relano AFP (Ret) (EC02-3), Undersecretary Gacis, and Professor Rommel Banlaoi (EC99-3).
“I am also very happy to inform you that the APA is now online. Please visit the APA website at www.apa.org.ph. We encourage everyone to submit any comments / reactions re: the website so we can further improve it. We’d love to hear what you think about the website.”
U.S./Washington D.C.
While in Washington, Lt. Gen. (Ret) Smith and the deputy director, Brig. Gen. (Ret) Jim Hirai met with several U.S. alumni including Taylor Scott (EC05-1), Stephen Coyle (EC03-2), Eva Gonzalez (EC05-2), and Byron Shorter (EC02-1 and CSRT 05-2). They met to get their feedback on the idea of creating a U.S. APCSS Alumni Association. Taylor Scott helped energize the idea and he has already begun the process of organizing a Washington D.C.-based chapter. The meeting helped generate interest among participating alumni to support creating this new alumni association.
Please don’t forget to contact the Outreach and Alumni Coordination Branch at AlumniDivision@apcss.org if you have been promoted, changed job positions, or moved.
Debunking the Myths
By Lt Col John Gasner, Chief, Outreach and Alumni Coordination
Branch
In my travels throughout the region with the APCSS director, I’ve come across several myths about APCSS Alumni Associations circulating among various government officials including alumni.
Myth 1: Alumni Associations entail too much work and/or I’m too busy to participate.
It’s important to understand that there are several types of alumni associations: formal and informal. The type you have and the degree to which you participate completely depends on the wishes or requirements of the specific country and individuals involved.
A formal association may include elected officers, by-laws or rules, official logos and membership dues. To simplify organizational efforts, upon request, we can provide several full-length examples that you can use or easily alter to satisfy your own unique requirements.
An informal association is not an official organization. It does not have to include the same formalities such as the membership requirements or by-laws. Participating in an informal association is about as difficult as going to lunch or having tea with a friend or co-worker. It is not mandatory to have all or even most alumni present to discuss security cooperation issues; two people can make it happen.
Myth 2: Alumni Associations are considered as “threats” to my government and/or I am restricted by regulation from joining a private organization.
While such a “threat” perception may be difficult to change in the minds of some, it may exist due to a lack of understanding about APCSS and alumni associations. If you believe in the value and benefits of APCSS, it’s worth your and our efforts to educate leaders about the purpose and benefits of an alumni association. Contrary to any “threat” perspective, representatives in some countries believe so strongly in the positive values and benefits of an alumni association and its highly respected members, that they consider it a “sounding board” for official government policy.
While education may not change long-held perceptions and regulations about associations, the bottom-line is you may not have to change the laws. By allowing civilian alumni, for example, to establish a formal association, military alumni could still participate in discussions without officially joining an organization. In addition, if an informal association is established as previously described, there is no formal organization or membership involved; “participation” in discussions versus “joining” an organization appears to be the key discriminator.
Myth 3: APCSS is using alumni associations as a “collection and reporting tool” for the U.S. government.
You may not agree with certain U.S. policy positions and it is not my intent to try to convince you otherwise. However, as an APCSS alumni, you have gained new knowledge, skills and relationships while you were here. Further most of you also agree that there is great value and benefit in what we are trying to do in the realm of security cooperation.
In establishing Centers such as APCSS, the U. S. is not beyond trying to accomplish objectives that are beneficial to it. The wonderful aspect about APCSS is that when we facilitate communication and security cooperation among nations in the region, as a by-product, the U.S. also benefits from these cooperative efforts. Therefore, when we ask, not require, you to share with us information about your achievements, your challenges, and your successes in the area of security cooperation; we do so to gauge the impact of APCSS. In understanding the impact, we can better justify our existence.
The heart of APCSS is learning about security issues and accepting the challenge of applying your knowledge into practice.
An alumni association is one avenue for leaders to continue building on the knowledge and skills learned at APCSS and to put these tools to use in enhancing interagency coordination and international security cooperation for the betterment of nations, the region and the world.
APCSS Alumni Associations help keep you connected to the Center and each other...
Purpose of APCSS Alumni Associations:
- Sustain the relationships developed during the course
- Foster new relationships among alumni from different courses
- Promote interagency and international security dialogue
- Serve as the in-country center for information exchange between APCSS and alumni
- Assist in resolving security issues through a network of relationships and contacts established with alumni from other agencies or countries
- Help ensure those nominated to attend APCSS are those with the most long-term potential to take full advantage of the APCSS experience.
Benefits of APCSS Alumni Associations:
- Gain access to alumni networks and contact information to over 2,600 APCSS alumni around the world, as well as access to APCSS faculty
- Partner with APCSS to co-host security conferences and become an integral part of a world-class executive education and leader development system
- Gain access to the Regional International
Outreach (RIO) program: access and leverage APCSS databases, participate in
Video Teleconferencing, gain remote access to course syllabi, reading materials,
and research tools and
products
- Gain access to the APCSS library and various search engines on the web site for continuing education and/or research projects
- Receive opportunities for invitations back to
APCSS for other courses or
conferences
Alumni Associations
Bangladesh
Fiji
Madagascar*
Mongolia
Nepal
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Russia **
Thailand
*Joint Alumni Assoc w/ ACSS
** Joint AA w/ MC
The following countries have express interest in forming an alumni association:
Brunei
Cambodia
Chile
India
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Pakistan
Tonga
United States
Vanuatu
Vietnam
APCSS Alumni News
Bangladesh
EC04-2 graduate Col. Z.R.M. Ashraf Uddin is currently the president of the Bangladesh APCSS Alumni Association. Col. Uddin, along with many alumni in Bangladesh, established the new Bangladesh Association, and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Smith presented their charter in September 2006.
Cambodia
EC05-2 graduate Col. Sok Saret has been coordinating border issues between Cambodia and Thailand police. He reported they are in agreement on immigration, border pass, transportation, economy, transnational issues, terrorist issues, and security along the border.
CSRT 05-1 graduate Lt. Col. Chantha Tat was recently selected to attend the Australian Command and Staff College.
East Timor/Timor Leste
APCSS Professor Dr. Ian Storey, and EC04-3 graduate, Loro Da Silva Horta recently published an article called “China Grooms a Strategic Relationship with the Community of Portuguese Language Countries” in the Yale Global last June.
CSRT 05-2 graduate Dr. Longuinhos Monteiro has been reappointment as the Attorney General (Prosecutor General) of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste in July for another four years.
France
Congratulations go out to CSRT 04-2 graduate Lt. Col. Frank Crispino. He received a Ph.D. and graduated Suma Cum Laude in Forensic Sciences from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland last May. His thesis was entitled: “Is Locard Principle Scientific or Analysis of the Scientificity of the Fundamental Principles of Forensic Sciences.”
Guam
EC05-2 and CSRT 04-2 graduate Police Lt. Kim Santos graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice (with a minor in Public Administration) in May 2006 from the University of Guam.
Indonesia
EC04-1 graduate Brig. Gen. Heryadi had this wonderful news to share:
“I was with Lt. Gen. Smith when he visited Indonesia. We discussed many things, such as how the knowledge from APCSS can support the officers in their jobs. It was an interesting time. I said that EC 04-1 course helped me so much, especially when I was posting as Deputy Commander of TNI Humanitarian Assistance Operations in Aceh. I remember, that Lt.Gen. Stackpole briefed us on his experience in the disaster relief operation in Bangladesh called “Blue Angel,” which inspired me a lot in coordinating 16 multinational military contingents. Thank you…APCSS is invaluable course.”
News from CSRT 06-1 graduate Lt. Col. Dwi
Purwiyanto: “I just finished a joint Indonesian-United States seminar (in
Jakarta) about legal aspects to combating terrorism, which was sponsored by the
Defense Institute of International
Legal Study ASA. I think we need friendship to minimize the terrorist’s
activities and focus on peace.”
Rico Marbun (EC04-1) graduated from the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore, and is currently working at the National Institute of Police Force (PTIK) and at the University of Indonesia. Additionally, he is also working with a team to draft a special bill on Indonesia National Security.
Mongolia
EC06-1 graduate Bayarkhuu Dashdorj received the prestigious award of Ambassador for Peace by the Universal Peace Federation. Congratulations!
Nepal
EC04-1 graduate Brig. Gen. Daman B. Ghale was inducted into the prestigious Joint Forces Staff College Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held in Washington D.C. last August. Congratulations!
Philippines
EC02-2 graduate Rostum Jose “Otum” Bautista is currently attending the Defense College of the Philippines, and will graduate in August. He will also be commissioned as a commander in the reserve force of the Philippine Navy.
Good News from EC04-3 graduate Maj. Gen. Rodolfo Tor, Philippine National Police: “I just returned from Singapore where I attended the INTERPOL Workshop on Preventing Bioterrorism sponsored by INTERPOL and hosted by the Singapore Police Department. It was a very intense and fruitful gathering of 78 senior police officers and experts from 32 countries who are directly involved in fighting terrorism. Our delegation of 9 was headed by Director General Arturo Lomibao, the Chief of the Philippine National Police. My training at APCSS helped me a lot in the workshop. Thanks to Col. Randy Reynolds (EC03-1), Dr. Mylene Huynh (EC04-2), and Col. Larry Connell (EC 04-2) for their excellent lectures in our APCSS 04-3 presentation - Health and Security in the Asia-Pacific region.”
EC04-3 graduate Maj. Gen. Rodolfo Asel Tor, Philippine National Police (PNP): “I proceeded to Lyon, France as the PNP’s delegate for Interpol’s annual Head of National Central Bureau (NCB) meeting from June 8-9, 2006. We discussed various global cooperation, coordination, contact process/system and information sharing on various anti-crime management specifically against human trafficking, carjacking, stolen documents (passport, etc.) and terrorism. We also discussed and approved the proposed agenda for the upcoming Interpol General Assembly in Brazil from Sept 18-20, 2006.”
SEC 03-2 graduate Undersecretary Ernesto G. Carolina: Undersecretary Carolina is presently in charge of implementing the Philippine Defense Reform Program at the Philippine Department of National Defense. In concurrent capacity, he assists the Secretary of the National Defense in performing the duties of the Chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and in exercising supervision and control over the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
EC03-2 graduate Rowena Pangilinan: She will be pursuing another master’s degree this August 2006 in Contemporary China at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore under the ASEAN Graduate Scholarships.
EC04-3 graduate Auralyn L. Pascual is presently attending a master’s course on Transnational Crime Prevention at the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia.
EC02-3 graduate Charithie Joaquin received a Master of Art’s in War Studies from King’s College at the University of London; she also received a Merit Award. Her studies were made possible through the British Chevening Scholarship. Way to go Charie!
Republic of Korea
EC01-2 graduate Col. Dong-Chul Kim will soon graduate from Air War College, and will be assigned as the Inspector General at the 3rd Training Wing, ROK.
Russia
Senior EC03-2 graduate Professor Valery V. Lesnykh is currently the director of the Center for Risk Management and Sustainable Development of GAZPROM. At the very beginning of the year, he received the Award of EMERCOM of Russia (Ministry of Emergencies of Russia) in science for the book “Strategic Risks of Russia: assessment and forecasting” (as co-author).
EC04-3 graduate Dr. Larisa Ruban participated in an International Conference RPI (in Moscow) about energy security from June 27-28, 2006 and presented a report. She also participated in an international conference and round table (Security in Megapolis; Russia and UK) from June 28-29, 2006. Additionally, she also presented a report about her research security and counterterrorism program.
Sri Lanka
EC98-1 graduate Maj. Gen. Sunil D. Tennakoon retired from the military in February 2006 and currently holds the position of Head of Security and Operations at the Board of Investments of Sri Lanka.
EC04-1 graduate Dayani Panagoda won the Mahbub Ul Haq Research award for 2006 (a regional research award by the RCSS) to do a study on Anti-Terrorism laws and security a comparative with Sri Lanka and India. Congratulations Dayani!
EC02-2 graduate Ranjith Gunaratna completed his master’s study program at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies in Singapore in July 2006.
United States
Senior EC04-2 graduate Rear Adm. Kevin J. Eldridge had his change-of-command and retirement ceremonies from his posting as the Coast Guard’s Eleventh District Commander in July 2006. He was relieved by Rear Adm. Brice O’Hara (SEC06-2) O’Hara also assumed responsibility for Joint Interagency Task Force West
EC01-1 graduate Navy Captain Michael Maddox has transferred to Newport, Rhode Island where he’ll be attending the Naval War College.
EC05-3 graduate Maj. Ken ‘K-Bar’ Barker retired from the U.S. Air Force in April 2006 after serving 22 years as first an enlisted Marine and then as and Air Force officer. He is now a senior analyst for Camber Corporation living in Colorado Springs and continues to sponsor U.S. Air Force Academy cadets. He and his wife Joy have opened their home to cadets from France, Jordon, and Canada, and are currently sponsoring cadets from Tunisia, Hong Kong, as well as the United States. As of Aug 2006, they have a high school exchange student from Hong Kong.
Three APCSS Alumni from the U.S. - Col. John Cinco (EC05-2), Lt. Col. Jim Durand (EC02-3); and Lt. Randy Dee(JEC06-1) - attended a Pandemic Influenza Exercise and Workshop, which was held at APCSS in June. More than 60 participants from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, U.S. Pacific Command and other U.S. government agencies assembled to conduct a three-day tabletop exercise to discuss preparing and preventing, containing and responding to a pandemic outbreak of avian influenza or bird flu.
Vanuatu
EC00-1 graduate Patu Lui: “I was in Haiti from 26 – 28 May 2006 to visit three of our police officers that have been working there since last October 2005. It was my first visit to this very beautiful country. It is very interesting to see Armies and Police Officers working and living in harmony with each other. I also attended the UN Medal presentation for our Vanuatu police officers serving there. It was a wonderful moment to see our police officers awarded UN Medals for their work in Haiti. I also had that opportunity to give short remarks during this evening event to thank many of the Police, Army, and civilians from all 53 countries working hand in hand for the sake of peace and security. Although, my stay was short, I really enjoyed every moment of my time there in particular seeing all of the different uniforms from different countries working for the same goal, in which APCSS is heavily involved with in the Asia-Pacific Region. Additionally, I continued on to the Ivory Coast on a similar trip.”
(PHOTO)
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Smith and Ambassador Salmon, along with members of the APCSS faculty, joined alum Commodore Bruce Pepperell, RNZN (EC 99-3), representing the New Zealand Defence Force, during Anzac Day ceremonies at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Anzac Day in New Zealand is held on April 25 each year to commemorate New Zealanders killed in war and to honor returned servicemen and women. The day has similar importance in Australia, New Zealand’s partner in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli in WW I.
(Photo) Alumni return to visit APCSS
Four APCSS graduates stopped by to visit the APCSS Alumni team during the August 2006 Maritime Security and Technology Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Conference. (left to right: Lt. Col. John Gasner, Capt. Cami Johnson (APCSS staff and JEC06-1), Maj. Michael Weisz (APCSS staff and EC 06-2 grad), Lt. Cmdr. William Brewer (JEC 05-3), Lt. Cmdr. Bruce Tweed (CSRT 05-2), Maj. Mike Mollohan (APCSS staff and JEC 06-1 grad), and Lt. Col Kyeong Seok Chang (EC 06-2).
Alumni Family
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Arunrung Phothong, Thailand, Executive Course 01-3 graduate, and Mr. Liam Humphreys of the Department of State, United States, Executive Course 01-3 graduate are pleased to announce that, as a result of their patient, persistent and diplomatic application of the “principles of engagement”, as taught to them at APCSS, they have achieved a possible APCSS precedent-setting breakthrough. They are happy to inform APCSS that they have carried “engagement” to the next higher level with the announcement of a ceremonial “Thai-ing of the Knot” (as it were) in Arunrung’s hometown of Lampang. The event will take place November 10, 2006. Liam, who retired in 2005 as a Deputy Consul- General from South Africa, plans to support his wife’s ongoing career as a Diplomat in Thailand’s Foreign Service.” Congratulations to Arunrung and Liam on their upcoming wedding!
Bum-Erdene Khariyu (EC06-2), Mongolia, and his wife just had their first child (a son). Congratulations and Best Wishes!
Capt Fritz Craft (EC05-1), United States, and wife Thea welcomed their daughter Jessica Borei Craft on June 28, 2006. Congrats!!
Australia
Peter Tesch (SEC02-1) is working in a new position as Assistant Secretary, Information and Communication Technology Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Bangladesh
Air Commodore Abdur Rauf (EC04-3) has joined the National Defence College, Bangladesh as Senior Directing Staff and a member of the faculty.
Lt. Col. Saiful A. Saleh (EC03-3) retired from the military and is now the Director of Safety and Security at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.
SEC02-2 graduate and the Director General of the Bangladesh Coast Guard Commodore Sarwar Jahan Nizam, (C), ndu, psc, BN, was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on 21 June 2006.
Commodore Bazlur Rahman (EC05-2) is back in the Naval Headquarters as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (personnel) after serving six months as the naval area commander in Chittagong.
Cdr. Rizaul Karim (EC05-2) was recently appointed as Zonal Commander East of the Bangladesh Coast Guard in Chittagong
Cambodia
Brig. Gen. Chap Samrang (EC03-2) was selected as the deputy director of the Department of Budget, General Department of Logistics and Finance, Ministry of National Defense
Canada
EC02-2 graduate Philip Dean McFadden was promoted from commodore to rear admiral this summer and commands Maritime Forces in the Atlantic
Chile
Col. Diego Jimenez Ramirez (EC02-3) is currently the commander of a mountain unit in Chile.
EC04-1 graduate Luis E. Angulo was promoted to Navy Captain and assigned at the Ministry of Defence in Santiago, Chile.
Comoros
EC03-3 graduate Chaharane Mogne was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Lt. Col. Chaharane Mogne was promoted to regional commander of all the security and defense forces on the great island of Comoros
Fiji
EC06-1 graduate Francis Kean was promoted to Commander WEF in March and was appointed Chief of Navy WEF, in April.
Jonisio Mara (EC04-3) is currently in New Zealand studying for a Master’s in Defence and Strategic Studies at Massey University.
Lt. Col. Jackson Evans (EC02-1) recently attended a senior command officer course in China. The course was aimed at training officers to command at the brigade level. The course was conducted at the Foreign Wing at the Nanjing Army Command College of the Communist Peoples Liberation Army’s Training Facility in China.
Guam
Anthony Palacios (EC04-3) has been assigned as the staff assistant to the Police Chief.
India
EC03-1 graduate Capt. Gurvinder Randhawa was promoted to commodore.
Praveen Bakshi (EC04-1) was promoted to brigadier general and appointed to command an Armored Brigade.
Ram Subhag Singh (CSRT 04-2) has been appointed Secretary to the Minister of State for Defense Production.
SEC03-1 graduate Ranjit Issar was recently appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Poverty Alleviation in India
EC01-2 graduate Nanjapa Bidanda was promoted to air vice marshal at Headquarters Training Command in Bangalore
Indonesia
Col. Nanno Purmono (EC04-3) was promoted to brigadier general.
Japan
Col. Mihara Komei (EC02-1) has been assigned as the 1st Infantry Regimental Commander, Tokyo Japan. His regiment will do joint training in Hawaii in November.
Kentaro Hatakeyama (EC05-2) graduated from the prestigious Yale University in May with a degree in East Asian Studies. He will serve as the second secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam.
Hiromi Kiyohara (EC05-2) recently received a position at the Embassy of Japan in Canada (Ottawa).
Suzuki Hironori (05-2) graduated from Amherst College. He is assigned to the personnel division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo
Madagascar
Col. Raphaël Ramasy (EC01-3) was appointed as the director of the Staff College (Malagasy Army) in February 2006; additionally he completed the Collège Interarmée de Défense, France in June 2005
Malaysia
EC03-1 graduate Ong Thiam Hock was promoted to Captain Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), and currently holds the post of director of the Strategic Management Division at the RMN Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Maldives
Last May, Shaheed Zaki (EC02-3) was appointed as the first-ever High Commissioner of Maldives to Singapore.
EC02-2 graduate Mohamed Sadiq: Since 1 September 2004, the Maldives Police became independent under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Mohamed Sadiq was transferred to the Maldives Police Service and is now the Assistant Commissioner (colonel-equivalent)
Marshall Islands
Samuel Lanwi, Jr. (EC05-1) was recently promoted to deputy director for Oceanic and Industrial Affairs, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority.
EC05-2 graduate, Biuma Samson, was selected as the First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United Nations in May 2006
Nepal
Dr. Suresh C. Chalise (EC01-1) has been appointed as the External Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister of Nepal.
Rishi Ram Ghimire (EC05-1) has been transferred from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Secretariat based in Kathmandu, as Director of Nepal for the SAARC Secretariat for three years.
SEC05-3 graduate Om Bickram Rana was designated as Acting Inspector General of Police, which is also Acting Chief of Nepal Police in June 2006.
Brig. Gen. Anil Jung Thapa (EC00-1)is currently serving as the Director of Military Intelligence at the Army Headquarters in Kathmandu.
Mahendra Man Gurung (EC04-2) is transferring to the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi, India as the Counselor (Cultural) for the next three years.
In August, Madhuban Paudel (EC03-2) took over as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nepal. Prior to that he was in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates as the Head of Mission in the newly opened Embassy of Nepal.
Pakistan
Syed Moazzam h. Shah (EC05-2) was selected as the First Secretary, Embassy of Pakistan in Tehran, Iran
Asif Ahmed Khan (EC04-3) was promoted to Air Commodore.
EC02-2 graduate Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Banaras Jadoon moved from Peshawar to Rawalpindi and took charge of a 600-bed Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpind as its administrator.
SEC03-2 graduate, Maj. Gen. Farooq Ahmad Khan was selected as the Federal Relief Commissioner in the aftermath of disastrous October 8, 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. He has also been mandated to establish a National Disaster Management Agency.
Muhammad Abid Nazir (EC02-3) has been promoted to the rank of brigadier general and is presently serving in DR Congo as a U.N. military observer and will assume his new appointment as brigadier commander upon returning to Pakistan in December 2006.
EC02-3 graduate Tanweer Nazim Siddiqui was promoted to air commodore and is also a base commander in Pakistan.
EC02-1 graduate Imran Mahmood Rizvi was promoted to group captain in the Pakistan Air Force. Additionally, he completed a 36-week counterterrorism course at the National Defense University’s School of National Security and Executive Education at Fort McNair in Washington DC., where he was a distinguished graduate. He intends to continue to do his part in GWOT from the education and experience he gathered at APCSS and NDU.
Lt. Col. Azam Jamal (EC01-3) completed a tour of duty with the U.N. Mission in Burundi in September 2006; he also received an assignment/promotion as a colonel in Corps Headquarters in Pakistan. Additionally, he has been selected to be promoted to the rank of brigadier in 2007.
Philippines
Lt. Cmdr. Charleston Suniga (JEC 05-1) was promoted to commander.
EC05-3 graduate Brig. Gen. Nelson Allaga, Commandant of the Philippine Marines Corps, was recently promoted to major general.
EC02-3 graduate Minister Leslie B. Gatan was promoted to Chief of Mission II (equivalent to an Ambassador) by the President of the Philippines on July 4, 2006.
EC02-3 graduate Joel Celino was promoted to full colonel in April 2006; he is currently a staff officer at the Special Operations Command within the Philippine Army
Republic of Korea
Lt. Col. Kim Dong-Chul (EC01-2) was selected for promotion to colonel.
SEC05-2 and EC02-2 graduate Ambassador Jae Bum Kim has been appointed ‘Distinguished Professor in Diplomacy’ at the Graduate School of International Studies of Yonsei University and is currently teaching a class on ‘Asia-Pacific Security.’
Lt. Col. Changhee Park (EC04-1) became an assistant professor of the Korea National Defense University (KNDU) in March 2006
Singapore
Col. Kuek Joo Leng (EC99-3) is currently running a newly established Warrant Officers and Specialists Institute.
Sri Lanka
Rear Adm. Sarath Rathnakeerthi (EC98-1) was selected as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy.
Brig, Gen. Lalith Daulagala (CSRT 04-1) was selected as the officiating General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 11th Division headquartered in Panagoda.
CSRT 06-1 graduate Deepthi Waidyasekera is a senior lecturer in Geography at Kotelawala Defence Academy. She is conducting research on “The Role of the INGO’s on Humanitarian De-Mining” in the North-Eastern region in Sri Lanka and problems of “Internally Displaced Population in Sri Lanka.” She is also supervising a report on a “strategic plan for disaster management and how it can apply to mitigate the problems due to future threats.”
Col. Chandana Rupasinghe (CSRT 05-1) is currently attending a course in “Military and Peacekeeping in Accordance with Rules of Law” in Newport, RI. He received a new posting as the command-ant of Sri Lanka Army NCO’s Training School at Kalaoya. In addition to this appointment, he is the 213 Brigade Commander in Puttalam.
EC03-2 graduate Ananda Peiris was promoted to rear admiral and assumed duties as the Commander Southern Naval Area in Galle, Sri Lanka.
EC04-2 graduate Brigadier Y.S.A De Silva was promoted to major general as well as appointed as the Military Secretary in the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters.
EC05-3 graduate Brigadier L.B.R. Mark was promoted to General Officer Commanding, and given the posting as GOC-51 Division in JAFFNA.
Thailand
Col. Kultawat Vaijai (EC02-1) graduated with a Master of Business Administration in Aerospace, and was recently selected as the Chief of Policy and Planning, Intelligence Department within Southern Border Provinces Peace Building Command.
Tonga
SEC05-3 graduate Colonel Tau’aika ‘Uta’atu was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
Tuvalu
Willy Telavi (EC01-2) retired as the Tuvalu Police Commissioner in June 2006. In August 2006, Telavi was elected as the Cabinet Minister of Home Affairs and Rural Development.
United States
JEC05-2 graduate Tara Beedle was promoted to major in March 2006.
Brig. Gen. John Allen (SEC05-1) departed his position as principal director of Asian and Pacific Affairs, Office of the Secretary of Defense, in June. He transferred to Camp Lejeune, NC, to become Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF), and Commanding General, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2d MEB).
Col. Joe Mortensen (EC03-2) assumed command of Naval Test Wing Atlantic, Patuxent River, Maryland, in October 2005.
Rear Adm. Charles D. Wurster (SEC03-2) was promoted to vice admiral. His next tour will be in Alameda, CA where he will serve as Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area.
U.S. Navy Captain Geoffrey Thomas Pack (EC02-1) has been selected to serve as the Commanding Officer of Assault Craft Unit-5 in Camp Pendleton, CA.
EC03-1 and CSRT 05-1 graduate Col. Rolland Reynolds has been selected as the Chief, Clinical Sciences Division at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine.
EC05-1 graduate John F. Prince was promoted to Coast Guard captain in July 2006, and will attend Senior Service School, U.S. Marine Corps War College.
Lt. Cmdr. Lance Kalleberg (JEC 06-1) was selected for assignment to Headquarters, U.S. Forces Korea. He’ll serve as deputy director for Current Operations and as an emergency action officer.
Jack Greenwood (EC03-3) retired in August 2006 following 40 years of government service including 37 years with the Defense Intelligence Agency. His last position was as a senior intelligence officer in DIA’s Regional Assessments Office.
U.S. Navy Capt. Russ Grocki (EC00-3) recently moved to the Office of Naval Research in Washington D.C. where he is the deputy of the Sea Warfare and Weapons Department.
U.S. Navy Capt. Tim McCully (EC04-1) recently completed his final active duty tour at Pearl Harbor as the Military Sealift Command’s Liaison Officer to U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Pacific Fleet, and retired after a 30-year Navy career. He then was selected as a senior Navy civilian and assumed duties as deputy commander of the Sealift Logistics Command Pacific in San Diego, Calif. in August. In his new position, he assists in managing the operations of the Navy’s merchant marine-manned logistics and special mission ships in the Eastern Pacific.
Vanuatu
EC00-1 graduate Patu Navoko Lui has been appointed as the Vanuatu Police Commissioner.
Vietnam
APCSS Conference attendee, His Excellency Nguyen Duc Hung, was selected as the Ambassador of Vietnam to Canada in March 2006.
SEC04-1 graduate His Excellency Do Ngoc Son was selected as the Ambassador of Vietnam to Spain in March 2006.
SEC02-1 graduate His Excellency Ha Huy Thong was selected as the Ambassador of Vietnam to The Netherlands in March 2006.
EC03-3 graduate His Excellency Nguyen Thac Dinh was selected as the Ambassador of Vietnam to Brazil in March 2006.
PHOTO:
In August 2006, Rear Adm. Van Alford, Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Command (center) observes command turnover of Joint Interagency Task Force West from Rear Admiral Richard Kelly to Rear Admiral Sally Brice-O’Hara (right). Rear Adm. Kelly is a SEC 05-2 graduate and Rear Adm. Brice O’Hara is a SEC 06-2 graduate.
EC05-2 graduate Col. Chris Weicker, Canada, and his wife Evamarie, is attending the People’s Liberation Army University of Foreign Languages in Kunshan, China for the next year. Kunshan is approximately 50 kms west of Shanghai.
In May 2006, the Russian alumni of the Marshall Center and APCSS convened in Moscow for a conference on “Russian-American Cooperation in Fight Against Terrorism,” chaired by John C. Reppert, Dean, College of Security Studies, and Col. (Ret.) Nick Pratt, of the Marshall Center. The alumni warmly received a video greeting message, delivered by the APCSS Director Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ed Smith and Professor Rouben Azizian. During this event, the alumni formed a joint Marshall Center-APCSS alumni association in Russia. Pictured: Dr. John C. Reppert, Col. (Ret.) Nick Pratt, and the APCSS Alumni Viktor Gavrilov (1998-3), Yuri Kukushkin (1999-3), Vladimir Petrovsky (2000-1), and Vladimir Cherny (2002-1).
Executive Course 03-2 graduates Lt. Col. Kim Jin Ho, Republic of Korea, and Mr. Iskandar Hadrianto, Indonesia: They displayed another example of the strong bond that APCSS alumni continue to maintain well after graduation. Lt. Col. Kim Jin Ho assisted Mr. Hadrianto in setting up a tour for the president of the University of Saskatchewan, President Peter MacKinnon.
Executive Course 04-2 graduate, Lt. Col. Mylene Huynh, U.S., was part of a five-member team from PACAF conducting an operational and aerospace medicine exchange in Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka. In Thailand, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) agreed to a joint humanitarian medical mission to provide health services to civilian population devastated by the 2004 tsunami. In India, members attended the Asia-Pacific Military Medical Conference and conducted the first-ever USAF high-altitude operation medical exchange in Leh, which borders the Kashmir region. In Colombo, leaders requested continuation of exchange on military medicine issues of common interest such as physiology training for pilots, in-flight fatigue mitigation, military role in disaster response, force health protection and avian flu preparedness.
Executive Course 05-1 graduate Captain Charles F. Craft, U.S. Public Health Service, was selected to serve as the dental officer in charge for the U.S.Army Reserve Pacific sponsored Medical Readiness Training Exercise held in West Java, Indonesia in June 2006. The mission team was composed of military members from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, United States and Vietnam. Operation “Tendon Valliant” provided medical services to over 5,000 needy patients. Capt. Craft then deployed with the USNS MERCY for the month of August for part of its 2006 Humanitarian Assistance mission to numerous countries within South East Asia.
APCSS Ohana in Madagascar
Dr. Don Berlin presents a charter to the new joint Africa Center-APCSS alumni association in Madagascar. front (l-r): Col (Ret.) A. Ramarozatovo (02-1), Col. Raphael Benoit Joseph Ignace Ramasy (01-3), Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Danielson Ralijaona (98-1), Dr. Don Berlin, Col. Ralahimanana (00-2); 2nd row (l-r): Col. Rakotomalala (03-2), Lt. Col. Sylvain Ratefiniaina (04-1); Col. Dauphin Laha (00-1); Col. Ramarosandy (05-3); 3rd row (l-r): Lt. Col. Ralaialomady Fils Ramamonjisoa Rarasoa (05-1), Col. Rabehardindranto (99-1), Col. Jules Rasoanaivo (99-3), Col. Christian Rivo Rabe (03-3); Navy Captain Phillippe Charles Rajonarivelo (03-1), Cmdr. Louis Padoue Ranaivoseheno (05-2), and Col. Dominique Rakotozafy (99-2).
Lieutenant Commander Ben Ante PN (CSRT 2005-1 grad), Philippines served with the UN Peacekeeping Force in Haiti. He returned home in July 2006.
CG Cutter RUSH’S Historic Deployment
The Honolulu-based Coast Guard Cutter RUSH conducted an historic 3-month deployment where it assisted with a SAR case in the North Pacific and was the first major cutter to visit China since World War II as part of a series of combined operations with the agencies of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum.
Also during this deployment, RUSH made an historic port call in Qingdao, China. While there, RUSH engaged in professional law enforcement exchanges with the China Ministry of Public Security Border Control Department. These professional exchanges served to enhance collaboration and cooperation in the area of law enforcement at sea and enhance maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region.
Earlier in the deployment, RUSH participated in the Japan Sea Review, a two day at-sea event where Japan Coast Guard units demonstrated their procedures for maintaining peace and order, ensuring maritime traffic safety, rescuing ships and people in distress, and protecting the marine environment.
RUSH is one of two 378-foot High Endurance Cutters based in Honolulu. Rush’s primary missions include defense operations, enforcement of laws and treaties, and search and rescue throughout the Pacific. RUSH has a complement of 20 officers and 148 crewmembers and is commanded by Capt. Dana E. Ware (EC99-1). More information on U.S. Coast Guard Cutter RUSH can be found at: http://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/rush/
Spotlight On Indus River Diplomacy:
India, Pakistan, and the Baglihar Dam Dispute
Last May, APCSS professors Dr. Robert G. Wirsing and Dr. Christopher Jasparro published an analytical report on water issues in India and Pakistan. Entitled “Spotlight on Indus River Diplomacy: India, Pakistan and the Baglihar Dam Dispute,” the report looks at the on-going dispute over the Baglihar dam.
According to the report, the dispute “has broader implications not only for future management of increasingly important interstate river issues between India and Pakistan and in the entire region of South Asia, but also for the overall character of future India-Pakistan relations.”
Rivalry over river resources has been a chronic source of severe interstate tension between India and Pakistan. According to Wirsing and Jasparro’s report, “with river resource issues intensifying, the possibility for violent interstate conflict will likely increase.”
Even if direct violence is avoided, inability to resolve river resource issues will undoubtedly limit the ability of both countries to manage and utilize water resources in the most efficient manner. Inadequate management of water resources will exacerbate domestic problems in these demographically explosive societies which could lead to a variety of unwanted conditions such as increasingly fertile grounds for political extremism and terrorism.
Download this publication at www.apcss.org
New Joint Venture: APCSS co-publishes with Russian University
“Russia, America, and Security in the Asia-Pacific” is the first joint publication by the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies and Russia’s Far Eastern National University in Vladivostok. Published in both Russian and English, it represents both U.S. and Russian perspectives on key issues in the region.
In the book’s forward, FENU president Vladimir Kurilov states that “the participants of the project, whose papers are collected in this volume, are leading specialists on international relations in the Asia-Pacific region and policies of key regional actors. Each topic is represented by two papers – one authored by an American and the other by a Russian expert – which allows the reader to assess and compare Russian and American approaches to major issues of regional politics.”
“The demand for a collective work on this topic…has existed for quite some time,” said APCSS director, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ed Smith in his book forward. Meeting this demand, however, required a group of enthusiasts who were prepared to spend time and effort to make the project a reality.”
“Projects like this one are very useful for helping Asia-Pacific security practitioners and policy makers identify both impediments and opportunities, close gaps, narrow differences of opinion, and stimulate better cooperation between our countries,” said Smith.
APCSS professor Dr. Rouben Azizian was the co-editor and APCSS project coordinator for the book. In addition, three of the seven Russian contributors are APCSS alumni. They are: Vyacheslav Amirov (C03-08), Vladimir Petrovsky (EC00-1) and Sergey Smirnov (EC03-1).
APCSS and FENU have built a steady partnership despite the differences in purpose and backgrounds of the institutions. APCSS is a U.S. Department of Defense academic institute while FENU is an accredited federal university and research institute of Russia.
“Those differences become secondary when we realize each other’s value in reaching out to interested audiences, providing unique educational experiences, and most importantly, expanding a regional community of security influence that shares a mutual concern for a secure, predictable, and friendly Asia-Pacific region,” said Smith.
Kurilov concurred stating that “in the present era of globalization and growing interdependence, intellectual, academic, and educational exchanges are increasingly important in contributing to international peace and security.”
Islam, Oil, and Geopolitics in Central Asia after September 11
Edited by Dr. Elizabeth Van Wie Davis and Dr. Rouben Azizian
“Islam, Oil, and Geopolitics in Center Asia after September 11” is the focus of a new publication edited by APCSS professors Dr. Elizabeth Van Wie Davis and Dr. Rouben Azizian.
This book covers the dramatic transformations that have occurred in Central Asia over the last decade. According to the book, “ Since the tragic events of September 11, Central Asia has been drawn into an intense international struggle against the forces of religious extremism and transnational crime.”
This book examines the complex dynamic of cooperation and competition within and outside the Central Asian states. It looks at the sources of domestic and external extremism, as well as the evolving bilateral relations between the major external actors in Central Asian affairs.
“Islam, Oil, and Geopolitics in Center Asia after September 11” is divided into four parts:
Part I deals with the internal conflicts and the peace processes in Afghanistan and post-Soviet Central Asia.
Part II turns to another important dimension of great powers’ interest in Central Asia- the energy lure of the region.
Part III deals with the broader picture of geopolitics among the great powers in the region. Central Asia was historically a center of confrontation, competition, and conflict among the great powers, then Russia and Britain.
Part IV focuses on Central Asia’s relations with the wider Asian region as the Central Asian nations are attempting to diversify their foreign relations, balance the great power politics and deny any of them strategic preeminence in the region.
The book offers many insights that can help predict the most likely development of the fascinating Central Asian saga.
Other contributors to this book include: Alisher Khamidov, Kamoludin Abdullaev, Gaye Christoffersen, Alexei Malashenko, Manabu Shimizu, Kang Wu, Robert Smith, Shi Yinhong, Sergey Lounev, Feng Shaolei, Shireen Hunter, Sergei Troush, Pan Guang, Murat Laumulin, Orhon Mayadar, and Thomas Simons Jr.
“Islam, Oil, and Geopolitics in Center Asia after September 11” is available from Rowman & Littlefield, Inc.