Aloha! This particular edition of Currents magazine provides another useful update of goings-on at APCSS, as well as a look ahead at some new dimensions beginning to take shape.

We continue to be confident in our assessments of what’s needed to ensure APCSS is recognized as unique value added in all it does. These evaluations, most of which come from you, continue to guide our program evolutions. We also continue to be pleased with the quality of our program participants, both here at home and throughout the region. Our Alumni have really become active in helping get the right fellows into our programs and, through Alumni Associations, to continue to share valuable insights and lessons about security and security-cooperation challenges around the region and the world. Some Alumni have also participated in outreach events in national capitals, and contributed much, setting an example of informed, capable and mature professionalism. We never fail to be proud of our Alumni in action.

For almost a year, we have been examining how APCSS might better partner with various counterpart organizations throughout the region, and, to that end, we will host a workshop in November 2007 with a group of leaders of such organizations to compare learning models and approaches and identify profitable program interfaces to share. Further, we have been studying how two Hawaii-based institutions, the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance and the Pacific Disaster Center, can join with APCSS in producing and disseminating some new products interactively among linked constituency networks in the region. The initial focus will be a shared analysis of some trends related to preparedness for HA/DR response.

Such information, we believe, can also be incorporated into ongoing activities and research projects at all three Hawaii-based centers, as well as support U.S. and international organizations involved in assistance and relief efforts in this region and around the world. We think such an integrated and synchronized undertaking will further develop new knowledge and augment the application of key skills in an area of security concern we all recognize as expanding. (See story on page 4)

This initiative complements our educational evolution to help participants in all our programs to become more alert to new security developments of common concern, but more importantly to practice related assessments, analyses and next-steps recommendations which respond to current and unforeseen threats to security, stability and peace in our region. We are making a concerted effort to link operators, policy formulators, decision-makers, public diplomacy interpreters and various affected publics, as they all are connected in this globalized world we share.

Our focus remains where it must: helping leaders help each other. APCSS is all about increasing understanding through new knowledge and shared insights and perspectives, improving collaborative skills via realistic scenarios that replicate the world we live in and anticipate ahead, and leveraging personal and professional networks to get critical, complex tasks done when supporting systems fall short.

At APCSS we help build the most important capacity in the world we share: leadership capacity.

We promise our best. Mahalo for your support of APCSS.

CENTER NEWS

Sharing Information Before, During and After a Crisis

In previous issues of Currents we’ve told you about the Hawaii Model Study that was reviewing how several Hawaii-based organizations could better work together.

The study is complete and many good lessons have been learned about how we can improve our information sharing.

The Asia-Pacific Collaborative Security Consortium, a web portal to facilitate information sharing is now operational at http://apcss.apan-info.net/. The partners in this effort are our partners in the Hawaii Model - the Pacific Disaster Center and the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (COE), as well as other regionally focused security practitioners here in Hawaii. We are keen to expand the circle of those interested beyond our home here.

This site focuses on broad security cooperation and multi-national, as well as interagency crisis response. It contains information and links related to training and preparedness as well as discussion forums that can be established to help share information prior to, during a crisis response, or in follow-up and recovery from a disaster. We are just beginning this work and are eager for any suggestions or assistance you may wish to provide

Fellows attending the Stability Operations course at APCSS are learning how to use the site while in class and are encouraged to continue using it after they graduate.

APCSS is also looking at the possibility of establishing a team that will focus on trend analysis. Using expertise from APCSS, as well as the Pacific Disaster Center and possibily COE, the team will be looking for ways to help identify and track trends in diverse areas, which could lead to sudden and adverse shocks to regional security, such as shifting demographic profiles, environmental issues, and regional disaster response capacities before they erupt into regional “shocks.”

PLA Academic Delegation visits the Center

In May, General Zheng Shenxia, the Chairman of the Society of Military Science and concurrently the President of the Academy of Military Science (AMS) led a delegation of nine PLA military strategists and academic researchers to the APCSS for orientation and an exchange of views with APCSS faculty and staff. The overall objective of the visit was to build confidence, encourage mutual transparency, and to exchange ideas on educational methodology and approaches to
security studies. The agenda included a robust roundtable discussion, also attended by representatives from U.S. Pacific Command and University of Hawaii’s East-West Center, which focused on PRC military transformation and Chinese views on transnational security issues.

The visit also included a social event which fostered mutual understanding by allowing interaction in a more relaxed environment.

Not only did the visit foster a greater understanding of the factors driving PRC military transformation and associated challenges, it served as an opportunity to encourage PRC attendance in APCSS programs and to explore potential future partnering and reciprocal educational opportunities between the two organizations.

Admiral Keating Comes to Visit
Within a short time of assuming command as Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Timothy Keating paid a visit to APCSS. He met with APCSS Faculty and Staff and also got to test some of the new technology that APCSS is bringing into the seminar rooms.

Staff Hails and Farewells...

Moving around is a fact of life for many in the military and civil service. There have been a lot of moves this year. Perhaps most visible to the Fellows would be the changes in the Admissions Department. Maj. John Lynch retired, returning to his wife’s home in Okinawa, Japan. Capt. Cami Johnson from Alumni was reassigned to McGuire AFB, New Jersey. Navy Chief Yeoman Lawrence Sivils assumed duties as NCOIC, Registrar, while Cpl. Justin Hartfield became the Registrar NCO. Jean Peterson, Registrar-Student Affairs, moved to California, and was replaced by Remelinda Carbonel who transferred from the Center’s Resource Management Section. In the College of Security Studies, the dean’s secretary, Colleen Dieterich, transferred to USARPAC and was replaced by Michele Wong. Steve Crowley relocated to Washington State and Rovella Beasley was promoted to Supervisor, Admin Support and was joined by Admin Assistant Patricia Burdett. Former Supervisor, Admin Assistant Christine Paige retired and then returned to the Center as the Hawaii Model Assistant. In the Center Computer Lab, Melody Pickens took over after Gil Cummings moved on to Army Contracting. The Personnel Office also saw big changes with department head Bud Ralston retiring and being replaced by L.A. Jeffords-Mills, and the assignment of Robin Wong, after Roberta Garett took a promotion to PACOM. Elsewhere, Ligaya Abille joined the accounting team and Navy Yeoman Second Class Christina Treppe came to work in Conferencing after tours in England and Baghdad. In the front offices, the deputy director’s secretary, Shirlyn Souza relocated to California, while Connie Bach became the director’s secretary. Maj. Brian Greenstein began his assignment to Public Affairs Office as the Deputy for Strategic Communication. The Strategic Initiative Group has benefited from newcomers Rod Sueoka and Sgt. Dian Wilson, as well as the return of Kaelene Foo, after a nine month’s absence. Finally, former Admin NCO, Sgt. Manuel DeLeonVega, left for a volunteer tour to Kuwait.

Click here for Faculty News

Photo: Lt. Col. John Sauer and family celebrate his retirement after 21 years of service.

Regional Centers

Africa Center for Strategic Studies
www.africacenter.org

Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
www.apcss.org

Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies
www.ndu.edu/chds

George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies
www.marshallcenter.org

Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies
www.ndu.edu/nesa

Global Center for Security Cooperation, School of International Graduate Studies

www.nps.edu

APCSS FOUNDATION

The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies Foundation held their annual meeting here in February. Twenty-two Foundation members received updates on the latest Center innovations and also had a chance to mingle with the Fellows of EC07-1.

According to Foundation President Mr. Jerry Sumida, “The Center is a unique and very important institution that is performing an invaluable role in nurturing strong lines of communication and opportunities for participants from throughout this region. It allows them to interact and explore in depth critical issues that today and tomorrow will shape mutual interests in Asia-Pacific. We are very pleased that the Center is located in Hawaii. Our Foundation, which includes business leaders in Hawaii, is enthusiastic in its support for the Center’s work.”

A non-profit organization, the APCSS Foundation was established August 2000 as a supporting organization for the Center. The Foundation provides critical supplemental funds and support to assist the Center in enhancing cooperation and building relationships through mutual understanding and study of comprehensive security issues among military and civilian representatives of the U.S. and other Asia-Pacific nations. Foundation members have also participated in selected Center programs, bringing business perspectives to discussions on regional and international security issues.

APCSS Staff Members Recognized by Federal Executive Board

Several APCSS staff members were honored by the Honolulu Federal Executive Board. They included the Conference Division for Team Excellence, Lt. Col. “Fred” Frederick for Federal Supervisor/Manager of the Year, Dottie Kaneshiro for Federal Employee of the Year - Clerical and Assistant; Jo Gardiner for Federal Employee of the Year - Professional, Administrative, Technical; and Lenore Patton and Tom Patykula both for Leader, Mentor and Coach of the Year.

Thanks to all the volunteers that worked to ensure a successful event, with special recognition to: Lenore Patton, Sheri Uyehara, Mike Fryer, Stephen Chang, and Karen Griffon.

COLLEGE NEWS

New Faculty, New Expertise

APCSS welcomed several new faculty members. They include religious and cultural experts with unique experiences.

Dr. Ehsan Ahrari came to APCSS in January 2007 as Professor of Counterterrorism. His primary areas of expertise include Counterterrorism (Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia), Nuclear and Missile Proliferation in Southern Asia (China, India, and Pakistan), Islam, Information Warfare, with special focus on China and the world of Islam, and Public Diplomacy, with special focus on Muslim countries.

His other areas of expertise include Interagency Coordination, Wargaming, and writing scenarios for tabletop exercises. He has offered Senior Executive Seminars on Transnational Terrorist Financing, Public Diplomacy, Jihadist-Salafi Movements, with special focus on South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Dr. Alfred Oehlers joined APCSS in March 2007. He was previously an Associate Professor and Chair of the Economics Discipline at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.

Dr. Oehlers obtained his Ph.D in Political Economy from the University of Sydney. He also holds a Masters and Bachelors degree in Economics, both from Macquarie University, Australia.

He is a specialist in the political economy of economic growth and development, with particular reference to the countries of the Asia-Pacific region He has written widely, covering a range of issues connected with the rapid development of East and Southeast Asia. Much of this research has focused on Burma and Singapore, on topics relating to governance, democratization, corruption, public health, and ethnic conflict.

Our newest professor is Dr. Taj Hashmi. He worked as professor of Islamic and Asian history, politics and culture at various universities in Australia, Bangladesh, Singapore and Canada. Born in India, raised and educated in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia, he has extensive experience in the Asia-Pacific and North America.

Dr. Hashmi received his Ph.D. in modern South Asian history from the University of Western Australia. He also has a Masters in modern history of the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia from Dhaka University. His areas of expertise include: Islamic resurgence and militancy, ethnicity, Asia-Pacific regionalism and security; military, Islam, democracy and civil society, South Asia; and culture, governance and underdevelopment.

Faculty Members on the Move...and on the Road

In the last few months APCSS welcomed several new faculty members and bid a fond farewell to others.

Dr. Greg Barton departed APCSS for a position as the first occupant of the Herb Feith Chair for the Study of Indonesia at Monash University in Australia. He continues his connection to APCSS as an adjunct professor.

Dr. Eric Shibuya is now an instructor for Oceania/Transnational Issues at the Marine Corps War College in Quantico, Virginia.

Dr. Ian Storey departed APCSS for a position at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.

Dr. Jim Rolfe is working with the East-West Center here in Honolulu.

Two Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies faculty members were promoted from associate professor to full professor. Congratulations to Dr. Alexandre Mansourov and Dr. Denny Roy.

Captain Bette Bush departs APCSS for her new assignment as Commanding Officer, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, and Commander, Naval Munitions Command, CONUS East Division.

Last spring Dr. Ehsan Ahrari addressed Officers and Senior NCOs from Marine Forces Pacific Headquarters at Camp Smith. This was the first in a planned series of quarterly Professional Military Education events that MARFORPAC has discussed with APCSS. Dr. Ahrari addressed “The Jamaah Islamiyya (JI): Strategy, Modus Operandi, And Future” and also a broader presentation on terrorism, its roots and linkages.

In December, APCSS professor Dr. Donald Berlin visited India as part of the United States Department of State U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program. The program is intended to inform and engage international audiences about U.S. policy and society.

Dr. Berlin addressed various audiences and participated in media interviews while visiting Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Kottayam, Chennai and Kokata. Topics included maritime security, nuclear weapons, Indo-U.S. relations, and Indian Ocean geopolitics.

Dr. Mohan Malik recently returned from a trip to Thailand and India. He is working on a new publication called “Resolving the Burma Imbroglio: Prospects for Six-Party Talks.” According to Dr. Malik “Thai Alumni were extremely helpful in setting up meetings with staff from the Prime Minister’s Office/National Intelligence Agency, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. I also gave two presentations: one on “The East Asian Community: The Role of External Powers,” and the other on “Resolving the Burma Imbroglio” at the PM’s Office and MoFA. I also talked to several NGO representatives (e.g., Human Right Watch), Burma-watchers, Burmese dissidents, diplomats and journalists based in Thailand, Burma, and India. Findings of the research will be written for the APCSS Publication Series and Britannica Encyclopedia: Book of the Year 2007. Given the sensitivity of the subject, government officials were reluctant to be interviewed in a formal/official setting. So I used the presentation-discussion format to elicit opinions at official forums, and informal discussions with journalists and Burma-watchers in both countries.”

Dean Lee Endress recently addressed the “Maritime Senior Leadership Seminar” in Singapore, where he facilitated discussions attended by regional senior officers. He also participated in a Cultural Experts Summit in Washington, DC.

VISITORS

Indonesian Visitors include EC Alumni

In May, a delegation from Indonesia arrived at APCSS for a tour and roundtable discussion. The group included EC04-1 alum Maj. Gen. Heryadi, Senior advisor to PANGLIMA for International Relations. He is pictured between Lt. Col. John Gasner and APCSS Deputy Director Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Jim Hirai. The group included Brig. Gen. Darpito Pudyastunkoro, Col. Surya Durma, Mr. Adhyduriat Soemono, and Mr. Haryanto Bajuri.

Brigadier Sikand, India: His experience at APCSS

“The greatest gain from APCSS was being able to listen to and understand others’ perspectives. I might not agree with the other; however, we can work together to come up with recommended solutions, a cooperative, rather than confrontational approach.

In my current job as India’s defense rep to the U.S., I have to relate with defense reps from 120 different countries. APCSS helped me to develop mutual respect and better understanding for the views of representatives from other countries and thus helps me do my job better.

The social activities were an important aspect of APCSS because our comfort level with others grew during these activities. Because of this comfort level, we were able to get to the crux of the issues discussed in the course instead of worrying about making our neighbor upset by our comments; we were able to have open and honest discussions. Living together at 444 Nahua also helped develop that comfort level.

India deems APCSS very important. APCSS is held in higher esteem today because the returning graduates speak so highly of the course. You can see how much we think about APCSS by who we send to the courses. We used to send Colonels to the course; now we send Brigadiers. Having attended APCSS reflects very high on our resume and dossier. This helps in our officer assessment system for selection to higher ranks.”

Eikenberry shares experiences in Afghanistan with APCSS Fellows

Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, former commander of the Combined Forces Command in Afghanistan, visited the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies on February 16. While here he spoke with Fellows attending the Executive Course: Advanced Security Cooperation about his experiences during Operation Enduring Freedom.

In addition to the Executive Course Fellows, 41 international Fellows from the U.S. Army War College who were visiting the Center also attended his briefing.

Eikenberry’s new post is as the deputy chairman, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee, Brussels, Belgium.

CDSS Fellows visit APCSS

In April, APCSS welcomed a group of 66 from the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS) at the Australian Defence College. A number of APCSS alumni were part of the group. They included: Col. Modjo Basuki, CS05-1, of Indonesia, Lt.Col. Siamelie Latu, EC01-1, of Tonga, Col. Tahan Lumbantoruan, CS06-2, of Indonesia, Capt. Pongsak Somboon, EC02-1, of Thailand and Lt. Col. Gilbert Toropo, EC03-3, of Papua New Guinea.

Visiting Ambassadors:

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka/Maldives - Robert O. Blake

U.S. Ambassador to the Marshall Islands - Clyde Bishop

U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu - Leslie V. Rowe

U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga and Tuvalu, Larry Dinger

COURSES

Advanced Security Cooperation

Executive Course 07-1

The most recent Executive Course: Advanced Security Cooperation took place in early 2007 with 47 Fellows from 30 different countries in the region.

The six-week course focuses on building relationships among future leaders and decision-makers within the region. It comprises three required elements: a core curriculum, an advanced studies program of electives, and a professional enhancement program that includes skills workshops and guest speakers. Security is examined as a comprehensive mix of political, economic, social, as well as military aspects.

According to Dr. Rouben Azizian, course manager, this was a very energetic and cohesive group when it came to participation in the auditorium and seminars.

The interaction did not stop in the seminar rooms as Fellows participated in APCSS lunchtime learning sessions called “Brown Bags.” “The Brown Bag sessions are really starting to produce some very good discussions. The class was very interested in these, and several Fellows gave excellent presentations on security issues in the region,” said Azizian.

Over the last year the course has been transitioning from its original broad and instructive overview of the region to a more focused, interactive and participatory course. “We continue shaping and revising the course,” said Azizian.

“Rather than build a new course from scratch, we have taken an evolutionary approach - redesigning and changing as we go - so we don’t lose the good things about the course which has been going for 10 years now.”

Feedback from the Fellows is also extremely important for this evolution.

According to Azizian, “An important aspect of APCSS is that we take the Fellows’ views and perspectives very seriously. Our main educational approach is to create the right environment for Fellows to exchange their views, perspectives and experiences. While faculty instruction and facilitation are important – our Fellows value the opportunity to interact with each other.”

The next Advanced Security Cooperation course will be held in October. “We hope to complete in that iteration the transformation from a survey type course to a more focused, problem-solving-oriented course,” said Azizian.

“The traditional EC was a very wide ranging, comprehensive course providing a good overview of the security environment. But now we have more pressing issues. We have an urgent need for more collaboration like never before. We need to better focus on negative regional trends before they lead to major problems and shocks in the region. It is important at the same time to capitalize on the positive trends. We have to try to get the course to the point of how we can best collectively deal with issues and problems by building national and regional capacity and resilience. After all, the new name of the course - Advanced Security Cooperation - has to reflect its true meaning and essence,” he said.

“In a globalized world, national borders do not guarantee full protection. We have to follow regional trends more carefully because they can impact our own national security in more significant ways than before. This means that curriculum change will be ongoing as the course will continue to adapt to the dynamic regional security environment.”

EC at-a-glance

Since 1996: 31 Classes; 2,024 Fellows from 46 Countries

Transnational Security Cooperation

Senior Executive Course

The Senior Executive course continues to evolve, aided and enriched by the feedback of each class. The latest courses have introduced more current assessment and response scenarios, a case study on creating a dissuasion campaign, and an extended discussion on creating the conditions for viable peace in crisis torn societies. Fellows have been given the opportunity to hone their skills in handling media interventions as well. Fellow feedback has validated the continuing improvement of the course in terms of knowledge gained, senior leader skills improved, and networks enriched.

SEC at-a-glance

Since 1999: 17 Classes; 334 Fellows from 32 Countries

Stability, Security, Transition and Reconstruction (SSTR)

In less than one year, APCSS has held three classes of the new Stability, Security, Transition, and Reconstruction course which aims to enhance regional capability to prevent, prepare for and respond to both human and man-made disasters. After completing the first class last summer, APCSS followed up with two additional classes. We continue to adapt the course, improving the content and flow based on attendee comments and regional demand

In May, 32 Fellows graduated from SSTR 07-1. The Fellows included senior military and civilian government leaders from 18 countries. Countries represented at the course were: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States and Vietnam. The highlight of this particular course was the high level of operational experience in disaster response that the Fellows had--over 1/3 of them had personnally been involved in more than one such activity! This course also saw the beginning of an APCSS-sponsored web-site for sharing information among Fellows on stability focused activities through the use of the “Asia Pacific Cooperative Security Consortium,” or APCSC. This represents a step ahead in APCSS’s on-going efforts to provide a useful educational experience that does not end on graduation day.

Last December, 30 senior Fellows from 15 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region attended the course. Countries represented at the course were: Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United States.

The course takes a comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness and response activities focusing on three broad topic areas: 1) pre-conflict/complex emergency preparedness and prevention (2) post-conflict/complex emergency responses and transitions and (3) post-conflict/complex emergency reconstruction. It 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, among other supporting topics. The course is designed to impart vital knowledge, share best practices from the attendees’ experiences as well as to develop leaders’ skills and frameworks in order to improve the effectiveness of regional nations and individual leaders in preparing for and responding to disasters.

SSTR at-a-glance

Since 2006: 3 Classes 88 Fellows from 22 Countries

Junior Exec Course transitions into an
Asia-Pacific Orientation Course

For several years, APCSS has offered a three- week Junior Executive Course that focused on knowledge of the region and understanding how current issues were shaping the Asia-Pacific security environment. To meet the needs of U.S. Pacific Command headquarters, APCSS offered a three-day Asia-Pacific Orientation Course (APOC) last fall and again in March.

Like the JEC, the APOC provided an introduction to Asia-Pacific culture, politics, and challenges, while addressing U.S. interests in the region. The curriculum broadly examined: security foundations, regional security perspectives, country-specific and transnational issues, governance, development, and security cooperation issues. Attention was given to historical and emerging issues.

The next course, to be offered in July, will reflect the new merger of the Junior Executive Course/Asian Pacific Security Foundations (JEC/APSF) course with the Asia-Pacific Orientation Course.

According to course manager, Dr. Elizabeth Van Wie Davis, “APOC brings together all of the best features of the JEC and the earlier APOC to create a course that offers a comprehensive survey of many of the security issues in the current Asia-Pacific region.”

This new course will have a one week format and have two versions: one with a U.S. format exclusively for PACOM officers and an international version for select self-funded countries plus the U.S.
Fellows.

JEC at-a-glance

Since 1996: 6 Classes, 134 Fellows from 8 Countries

APOC at-a-glance

Since 2007: 1 Class, 46 Fellows

Comprehensive Security Responses to Terrorism

The Comprehensive Security Responses to Terrorism (CSRT) course helps Fellows develop a common understanding of 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. CSRT Course 06-3, held in Fall 2006, was attended by 30 Fellows from 20 countries.

CSRT at-a-glance

Since 2004: 7 Classes, 336 Fellows from 51 Countries

OUTREACH

Director visits Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand

APCSS Director, retired Army Lt. Gen. Ed Smith, recently completed a trip to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. APCSS sought to achieve the following objectives: 1. Learn the perspectives of host-nation and U.S. embassy officials regarding major security issues to improve our residence and outreach offerings. 2. Connect with alumni to get their feedback and to gauge the success of our programs. 3. Find ways to include representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations, business leaders, and international media organizations in APCSS in-resident and outreach programs. APCSS is now authorized to invite these representatives to courses as self-funded Fellows.

In Indonesia, Smith identified a potential partner for an APCSS Outreach event in the form of support from the Jakarta Center for Law Enforcement Cooperation. The possible outreach workshop could address Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief management systems. He also inaugurated the Indonesia APCSS Alumni Association (IAAA). The U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, John Heffern and Defense Attaché, Col. Kevin Richards participated in the ceremony. Taking the lead among the more than 40 alumni who attended the ceremony was Air Marshal (Ret.) Kooesnadi Kardi. He is serving as the first Chairman of the Association.

In Australia, Smith spoke with members of the Kokoda Foundation at an event hosted by the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies; he also addressed the class in session. The Director met with APCSS alumni at the home of the U.S. Embassy’s Army Attaché, Col. Joe Judge, who is also an APCSS alumnus.

In New Zealand, he followed-up on possible outreach opportunities specifically addressing the Oceania sub-region. In fact, APCSS is now working with the Office of the New Zealand Foreign Secretary to identify suitable topics related to priority security cooperation issues among Pacific Island nations. Smith also met with a number of alumni and key government representatives, including the Chief of Defence Force, Lt. Gen. Jerry Mateparae and the Deputy Foreign Secretary, Ms. Dell Higgie.

Photo: Lt. Gen. Smith speaks to a class at the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies.

APCSS Director Visits Korea/Mongolia: Attends Multilateral Planning Conference

During April 22 to May 2, APCSS Director, Lt. Gen. Ed Smith traveled to the Republic of Korea and Mongolia. In Korea, the Director met with key government and non-government officials to listen to their recommendations for improving courses in Hawaii and for suggestions on topical issues for a potential outreach event in Korea next year. The Director had the honor of inaugurating the Korean APCSS Alumni Association. While in Korea, the Director also attended the U.S./ROK Worldwide Multilateral Planners Conf in Seoul, a forum in which representatives from about 65 nations gathered to discuss shared security challenges—this year, countering terrorism. In Mongolia, the Director met with key officials from the Office of the National Security Council, Ministry of Defense, National Defense University, National Emergency Management Agency, Institute for Strategic Studies, Border Protection and Police Agencies, organizations with leadership positions staffed by many APCSS alumni. During his visit, more than 30 alumni met with the Director for roundtable security discussions and reception. Key officials also offered ideas for enhancing APCSS courses and expressed great interest in future outreach events in Mongolia.

Photo: While in Mongolia, Lt. Gen. Smith met with (l-r) Col. Tuvshintugs, Lt. Col. Munkh-Ochir, and Lt. Col. Chow (Defense Attache).

Meeting with new partners and alumni in Southeast Asia

In March 2007, Lt. Gen. Ed Smith journeyed to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hanoi for follow-up meetings with host-nation leaders to continue broadening opportunities for outreach partnering efforts with APCSS.

Office calls in Malaysia included meetings with Mr. David Shear, the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission; Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawher Hassan, the Chairman and CEO of the Institute of Security and International Studies; Dato’ Mohd Haniff bin Othman, Commandant of the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College where Smith gave a presentation on Leadership Development to the class in session; Mr. Ahmad Fuad bin Abd Aziz, Director General National Security Division; and several others.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to meet with nearly 30 Malaysian APCSS alumni, Smith and Shear presided over a ceremony to celebrate the establishment of the newly formed Malaysia APCSS Alumni Association. Brig. Gen. (Ret) Azmi bin Rashid (EC96-1) took charge as the first President of the alumni association.

Transitioning to Bangkok, Smith discussed current Thai/U.S. security issues with the U.S. Defense Attaché, Col. Stephen McKeag, General Kasemsak Plooksawak (SEC01-2), Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defense; Mr. Somphote Karjanaporn (SEC03-2), National Legislative Assembly; Mr. Prakit Prachonpachanuk (SEC05-1), Secretary Gen of National Security Council and current President, APCSS Alumni Association (Thailand). In an effort to broaden the range of participants in APCSS courses, the Director met with Mr. John Muller, the Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce and other U.S. businessmen in Thailand and offered them the opportunity to participate in APCSS programs. The 28 members of the Thailand APCSS Alumni Association welcomed Smith to Thailand at a social reception and they provided positive feedback about their APCSS experience. As a result of this visit, APCSS learned that the Thais are concerned about the impact of natural and man-made disasters on national and human security. A potential outreach event in Thailand or Hawaii may provide the opportunity to deal with concerns about Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief efforts.

The final leg of the Director’s trip brought him to Hanoi for very productive meetings with Mr. Jonathan Aloisi, DCM, and Col. Mark Chakwin, Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy and with several Vietnamese government representatives including Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau, Deputy Director General, Institute for International Relations and Maj. Gen. Pham Thanh Lan, Director, External Relations Department. Key feedback from Vietnamese officials during these meetings emphasized concern about the way-ahead, should Vietnam become a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. In close coordination with the U.S. embassy and the Vietnamese government, APCSS is developing a potential outreach event that could clarify the issues involved in “Preparation for Service on the U.N. Security Council.” Ending this successful trip on a celebratory note, the Director was honored to join the Vietnamese APCSS alumni in establishing their Alumni Association. Amb. Pham Sanh Chau enthusiastically took the first leadership role in the Association.

Photo: Thai APCSS Alumni Association

How Energy Drives Security Cooperation

Developing coordinated policies on energy and the environment is a key issue in the Asia-Pacific Region according to U.S. Ambassador to Japan, J. Thomas Schieffer. The ambassador, speaking to attendees of an April 2007 conference on “Energy Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific,” also stated that energy – its security, stability and deliverability – drives much of our respective foreign policies, thus making it vital for countries to explore new cooperative solutions.

Co-hosted by the Japan Institute of International Affairs in Tokyo and the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, the April multi-national forum focused on improving regional understanding and cooperation on Asia-Pacific energy issues. It provided a venue for robust and candid discussion of various national perspectives and policy options among senior security practitioners and energy experts from Australia, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States.

According to APCSS Professor Mohan Malik, “Recognizing that the challenge of assuaging energy insecurities can be met only through greater communication and joint cooperation among Asia-Pacific nations, this conference was conducted in a series of focused and facilitated discussions.”

In addition, Dr. Malik said that conference attendees concluded that a three-pronged approach to energy policy based on supply security, energy substitution, and conservation is needed to promote energy security worldwide. “It raised awareness and enhanced confidence among participants to develop modes of cooperation and networks that can be tapped for future action to resolve energy security issues.”

Objectives of the conference included developing a framework for characterizing dimensions of Asia-Pacific energy security; identifying areas for coordinated institutional and policy action; and formulating fresh, regional approaches to energy management; and sustained cooperative action.

Some of the findings included:
- Regional economic growth will continue with strong dependence on energy consumption. Consequently, lowering energy intensity and enhancing conservation will remain the most viable approach to rationalizing energy consumption and avoiding potential energy resource conflict.

- General appreciation for the importance and urgency of developing alternative energy sources and addressing CO2 generated climate change with the realistic expectation of dependency on hydrocarbon fuels in the near future. Nuclear energy seen as most promising alternative, requiring regional collaboration.

- Oil and coal will remain the dominating consumption resource driven by India and China’s energy needs. Gas consumption preferred but hampered by the high cost of coal conversion to gas and transportation challenges. Encourage and assist India and China in building adequate strategic reserves.

- Maritime transportation of energy will dominate in the region despite growth in pipeline networks. Thus, continued reliance on U.S. for security of sea lanes and strategic straits.

- Japan’s energy strategy, based on conservation, advanced and safe technologies, recognized as possible model for developing energy sectors in countries in the region. Particularly, China is interested in receiving Japanese energy technology.

The conference concluded with attendees agreeing that the future actions should include the following:

- Identify and promote energy cooperation opportunities in international and regional organizations and the private sector.

- Engage China to dispel suspicions about U.S. energy ambitions and use energy dialogue with China as a Confidence Building Measure.

- Use important regional forums to advance energy cooperation and promote workshop findings and recommendations.

- Use APCSS as a catalyst and clearing house for follow-on activities with regional partners and organizations for the purpose of enhancing regional energy cooperation and confidence building. For a copy of the conference report go to www.apcss.org

Photo: U.S. Ambassador to Japan, J. Thomas Schieffer (center) speaks to attendees at the Energy Security in the Asia-Pacific Conference held in Japan in last April.

Managing Porous Borders in Southeast Asia

How to manage porous borders in Southeast Asia was the subject of a conference recently co-hosted by the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace (CICP) and Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) held Feb. 27 to Mar. 2 in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.

Participants focused on porous borders and the associated transnational threats, and intra-governmental, regional and international cooperation required to manage these threats.

They shared information and understanding of various national perspectives on border control challenges commonly shared by Southeast Asia countries. Attendees also shared best-practice methods and assets related to border control and methods of coordinating internal and regional government and non-government control efforts. In addition, they looked at how better to interface with all agencies involved.

Participation included 46 representatives from: Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Philippines and the United States. International organizations such as the UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime, UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong sub-region, and the International Organization of Migration, headquartered in Geneva, also participated.

His Royal Highness, Prince Norodom Sirivudh of the Kingdom of Cambodia provided opening remarks for the conference. His Royal Highness serves as Privy Counselor to His Majesty the King of Cambodia and Chairman of the Board of Directors Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace. He is a former Deputy Prime Minister and Co-Minister of Interior

In her remarks at the conference’s opening ceremony, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Piper A. W. Campbell stated, “The transnational threats and challenges associated with porous borders cannot be resolved through unilateral action. Future success requires cooperation intra-governmentally, regionally and at the international level.” She noted that this conference offered a “unique opportunity to make a difference—to exchange perspectives and to share views on the steps required to improve border systems.”

Other speakers included His Excellency, Mr. Var Kim Hong, Advisor to the Government on Border Affairs and Chairman of the Cambodian Border Committee, Dr. Chap Sotharith, CICP Executive Director and Mr. Choombhon Lertrathakarn, Senior Expert on International Security Affairs, Office of the Secretary-General of the National Security Council, Thailand.

In addition, Mr. James Martin, First Secretary of the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok, provided a presentation on false passports. Participants learned about recent trends in document fraud, and were able to review dozens of false passports that were being used in transnational narcotics and human trafficking.

Finally, retired U.S. Ambassador Charles B. Salmon, Jr., also spoke to the group comparing the region today to when he first began work there in 1966 emphasizing the enormous progress that had been made. According to Ambassador Salmon, the successful growth of ASEAN is due primarily to the energy and hard work of the people of the ASEAN nations. But he also highlighted the contribution that the United States had made to regional stability and prosperity which made possible this favorable development.

According to APCSS Deputy Director Army Brig. Gen. (Ret.) James Hirai,

“This meeting provided an opportunity for focused discussions on border management challenges, opportunities, and sharing of innovative and practical ways to enhance good management. Based on the level of participation and lively discussions, we believe this is an important and timely topic, and that there are shared opinions about the need for intra- and inter-governmental collaboration. We are grateful for the hospitality of our co-host, the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, and that of the Kingdom of Cambodia, for their support and an enabling venue. We at APCSS look forward to future opportunities to participate in regional discussions and to help further cooperation on security related issues.”

Photo: Representatives from 10 nations attended the conference on porous borders held in the Kingdom of Cambodia in March.

CONFERENCE

The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies hosts numerous events each year both in Hawaii and out in the Region. Conferences address contemporary security concerns such as terrorism, biosecurity, strategic communications, transformation and many other issues relevant to the Asia-Pacific Region. For the latest Conference/ Outreach information and to obtain registration details, please review the “Conference” section of our website at www.apcss.org.

Examining US-China-Japan Relations

The continuing security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region is largely contingent on enhanced cooperation among the region’s three dominant powers: China, Japan, and the United States.

Yet the confluence of the end of the Cold War, perceptions of increased US unilateralism, the rise of China, and a “normalizing” Japan has upended what had traditionally been a reasonably stable regional system—and left in its stead a situation that remains highly fluid, unstable, and vulnerable to pressure for confrontation and possibly conflict.

Because of the institutional weakness of the region combined with the close operating proximity of militaries in the region, numerous analysts have pointed to an urgent need for increased confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs) in the region.

To that end, the Stanley Foundation, in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, has launched a new project on “Trilateral Confidence- and Security- Building Measures.”

Other collaborators on the project include the Shanghai Institute for International Studies in cooperation with the Institute for Strategic Studies for China, the Okazaki Institute of Japan, and the National Institute for Defense Studies.

Following the planning meeting held in Honolulu earlier this month, the project will support the creation of three study groups—one in each the United States, Japan, and China—to meet on a regular basis over a 10-12 month period to develop a “menu” of CSBMs.

The project will seek to achieve four key objectives:

- To assess the current state of debate in the United States, Japan, and China about the role and utility of CSBMs, as well as regarding the particular application of specific CSBMs.

- To develop transparent dialogue between US, Japanese, and Chinese analysts and policymakers (both civilian and military) on the role and utility of (certain/specific) CSBMs and assess the implications of these possible alternate CSBMs on trilateral relationship.

- To develop concrete consensus recommendations for CSBMs that can be implemented bilaterally and trilaterally and serve as stabilizing factors in managing the trilateral relationship.

- Improve strategic communication and security cooperation between the United States, Japan, and China through a frank and open exchange of ideas that fosters receptivity and, critically, reciprocity.

Exercise Global Tempest

The National Defense University’s Strategic Policy Forum conducted its first state exercise at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies on Dec. 9, 2006. Senior State and Federal officials, including Governor Linda Lingle, members of the Hawaii state legislative and executive branches, and local planners participated in a pilot exercise for a new program that would bring the benefits of Congressional gaming outside Washington and to the states.

SPF’s crisis simulation exercises are designed to provide senior government officials insights into the complexity of policymaking in the current global security environment. They seek to improve dialogue between the executive and legislative branches of the Federal government on critical national security issues. While many other simulation exercises rely on former decision-makers to fill seats, SPF exercises are distinctive in that participants are all current officials and incumbent Members of Congress. With the Hawaii iteration of Global Tempest, SPF hopes to launch a new program that would connect this successful Federal executive and legislative branch dialogue to their state-level counterparts on issues of pressing regional and local concern.

National Defense University President Lt. Gen. Frances C. Wilson and APCSS Director Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ed Smith welcomed participants to the exercise. The Honorable Ryan Henry, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Hawaii Governor, Linda Lingle, then opened Global Tempest, noting the importance of dialogue among Federal, state, and local officials in fostering an environment of cooperation in which to address the complex security threats confronting our nation.

Representatives from the Federal departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, State, and Homeland Security, including the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Pacific Command attended. The state and local perspective was provided by the governor of Hawaii, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman, Rep. Calvin Say, Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives and numerous Hawaii officials, including the Adjutant General, Major General Robert Lee.

Exercise Global Tempest provided a forum for information exchange and collaborative decision-making between Federal and state and legislative and executive branch policy makers in the context of a notional major national public health crisis. The exercise examined responses to the emergence of a potential pandemic flu strain overseas, the presentation of the first cases in the United States and its eventual development into a full blown pandemic worldwide and within America. Discussion during the exercise considered issues such as national and Hawaii pandemic preparedness, communications, surveillance, and detection activities, as well as its response and containment capabilities.

According to Maj. Gen. Lee, the exercise was a valuable experience. “For the first time we had a chance to synchronize at the national and local levels. It’s important for the national level leaders to understand the concerns of the states. Every place is different. The people are different. This is our chance to effect national level policies.”

Immediately following the exercise, participants shared their insights with Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Henry and others. Participants noted that Global Tempest afforded them a better understanding of the transnational nature of pandemic diseases and the domestic impact of international public health issues. They also observed that the exercises highlighted the potential impact such an outbreak could have on the economy and the need for continued improvement in cooperation and coordination among Federal departments and agencies, and between Federal, state and local government.

During the exercise, attendees also had a chance to see a demo of the new Asia-Pacific Collaborative Security Consortium web portal. This new portal is being developed with several organizations to improve preparedness and response to both natural and man-made disasters. Consortium members include the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Center of Excellence for Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance, Maui High-Performance Computing Center, Pacific Disaster Center and the U.S. Pacific Command’s Asia-Pacific Area Network.

Photo: Federal, State and Local officials attended Global Tempest including Governor Linda Lingle (top, in red); Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman, (above); and Maj. Gen. Lee (left) with
PACOM Reps.

ALUMNI

Photo: An informal gathering of APCSS Alumni meets during the recent outreach event in Cambodia.

Photo: Group Captain Divakar Upot, India, EC02-2, visited APCSS as part of a contingent of International Fellows from the U.S. Air War College in March.

Photo: APCSS Alumni Association in Korea

Photo: APCSS Alumni Association in Mongolia

Photo: APCSS Alumni Association in Indonesia

Army War College International Fellows brings back APCSS Alumni

Photo: A group of International Fellows from the U.S. Army War College visited the Center in Feburary. Included in the group were two APCSS alumni: Brig. Gen. Selva K. H. Johnson, India, EC99-3 and Col. Peter F. Magosi, Botswana, CSRT 04-2. Pictured are: Lt. Col. John Gasner; Dr. Robert Wirsing; Amb. Charles Salmon; Brig. Gen. Javed Iqbal, Pakistan,Col. Peter F. Magosi, Botswana, CSRT 04-2; Lt. Gen. Ed. Smith; Brig. Gen. Selva K. H. Johnson; and Dean Lee Endress.

Alumni Association Gets Local

In February, about a dozen Hawaii-based alumni met to discuss the formation of a local Alumni Association Chapter. Led by Col. John Cinco (EC05-2) and Ms. Anne Sylvester (CS04-1), the group agreed on several objectives:

1. Build personal and professional networks between Hawaii-based alumni.

2. Take advantage of opportunities to connect with APCSS Fellows and alumni from other nations by sponsoring a Fellow or visiting alumnus upon arrival to Hawaii and interacting with Fellows during course social events. This Sponsorship program could give the Fellows an opportunity to see more of Hawaii and experience the Hawaiian/American culture and it could serve as the foundation for a strong network of friendships.

3. To the extent possible, assist in charitable works here and in the region. Given the slew of recent natural disasters in the region, there may be opportunities for APCSS alumni to volunteer to assist in humanitarian relief efforts, such as donations of food, blankets and other supplies. Opportunities may exist for transferring resources between alumni associations of various nations and could provide at least some measure of assistance during such disasters.

The Hawaii-based Alumni agreed to initiate the Association with Col. John Cinco as the lead. Col. Cinco and several other alumni from his PACAF team will organize a ‘kick off’ social event. APCSS will inform all other Hawaii-based alumni about the details of this event and we hope that all will find time to participate.

Photo: Hawaii Chapter of the APCSS U.S. Alumni Association meet for lunch to organize chapter activities: Sgt. Maj. Toni Allen (CSRT 06-1, JEC07-1), Maj. Brad Cogswell, Maj. Wes Palmer (EC06-3), Col. John Cinco (EC05-2), Maj. Mike Mollohan (JEC06-1, CSRT06-3), Ms. Anne Sylvester (CSRT04-1), John Emmerson (SSTR06-1) and Larry Amante (CSRT05-1).

SEC alumni reunited in Pakistan

Photo: Vice Adm. Dave Nichols and Maj. Gen. Muhammad Mustafa Khan stand in the back row for the SEC01-1 class photo.

Last year, the Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command, Vice Adm. Dave Nichols, traveled to Pakistan for meetings with senior military leaders. Whatever apprehension Vice Adm. Nichols may have had regarding his ability to tackle critical issues immediately vanished when he discovered that one of his Pakistani counterparts, Maj. Gen. Muhammad Mustafa Khan, the Director General for Analysis and Foreign Relations in the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate, was a friend and fellow alumnus (SEC01-1). The meeting turned into a reunion of sorts for the two former classmates, but also an occasion to advance a mutually beneficial agenda. The enabler? A relaxed relationship of mutual trust and a transparent framework for collaborative dialogue developed in one week at APCSS. In this case, and countless others, a shared learning experience played in a key role in contributing to a special relationship, a common knowledge start point, some easily accessible teaming skills, and an expanded network of key security practitioners capable of working together to prevent or mitigate crises in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

APCSS Alumni News

In Memoriam

Colonel Rodolfo C. Calayo, Executive Course 00-3, recently passed away and his wife, Babes Calayo wanted to share her thoughts with the alumni. “To Alumni of APCSS and Class 00-03, Sorrow and grief have visited me, my life has changed forever more. For my dearest husband Col Rodolfo C. Calayo PN(M) Ret Class 2000-03 is now at peace…Has left this earth through Heaven’s door February 1, 2007 at exactly 3:20 am at Veterans Memorial Medical Center. He was laid to rest February 8, 2007 at Libingan ng Mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio. For though I grieve and though tears fall, I shall make it through this time of grief, for in my heart he shall still abide. And though he’s missed, I shall continue on.” We offer our prayers and sincerest condolences.

AUSTRALIA

Ann Harrap, EC03-3, is the Deputy High Commissioner, Australian High Commission Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Cameron Gill, JEC06-1 is the Deputy Director, Workforce Analysis, Department of Defence.

BANGLADESH

Sarwar Nizam, SEC02-2, was promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed Chief of Navy, Bangladesh.

Shah Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, EC03-2, was promoted to Air Vice Marshal and assumed command as the Bangladesh Chief of Air Staff.

Maj. Gen.M. A. Matin, SEC04-1, retired from military service in May.

Monirul Islam, EC05-1, was promoted to Joint Secretary/Minister. He will continue to serve in the Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing as Minister.

Sheikh Sekander Ali, EC05-2, is now the Minister, Consular Affairs for the Bangladesh Embassy in Qatar.

Cmdr. Muhammad Rizaul Karim, EC05-2, is serving as Chief Staff Officer to Administrative Authority Dhaka.

Air Commodore Syed Zilani Rahman, EC05-2, has been appointed as the “Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Maintenance)”of the Bangladesh Air Force. He also achieved the prestigious “Professional Engineer” status from the Institute of Engineers of Bangladesh

Surgeon Commander Muhammad Moinuddin, EC06-2, stated “Good governance is not only important for a country – it is also very much essential for international security as well. No country can now remain aloof without cooperation and partnership with others on different security issues – from controlling Avian Influenza to combating Global Terrorism. The bond in APCSS is a strong motivating force to work together in National and International environment.”

Col. Z. R. M. Ashraf Uddin, EC04-2 joined the Center for Strategic and Peace Studies (a non-government think-tank) in Dhaka, as a Research Consultant.

Deputy Secretary Ahmed Ullah, EC05-3 was promoted to Joint Secretary and serves as Director, Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation, Motijheel, Dhaka.

BHUTAN

Mr. Karma Sonam Tshosar, EC06-1 heads the Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; he is also attending the Australian National University, Canberra.

Mr. Tharchean, EC05-2, is attending Osgoode Hall Law School, York University in Toronto, Canada to pursue a Master’s degree in Law.

BRUNEI

Mardiana, Haji Mohammad, EC99-2, “I am moved that you made the effort to gather all our addresses and sent a sincere greeting. I hope you too will often feel this feeling of being cared for by someone so far away, of being remembered.”

CAMBODIA

Pang Savan, EC03-2, was promoted to Major General.

Khiev Sameth, EC04-2 grad was promoted to Brigadier General and selected as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia.

Lt. Col. Morakat Kong, CSRT 04-2, is now working abroad at UNMIS. He will work for UNMO one year in Sudan.

Col. Ken Sosavoeun, CSRT 04-2, works at the Cabinet of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense at Council of Ministers .

Neang Phat, SEC05-3, was promoted to General.

Khun Vuth, SEC06-3, was promoted to Lieutenant General.

Vanna Chea, EC06-2, was promoted to Colonel.

CHAD

Mbodou Mahamat, CSRT04-1 was promoted to Colonel.

CHILE

George Brown, EC02-3, was promoted to Captain.

Capt. Alejandro Campos, EC04-2, is now in the Chilean Naval War College, and was promoted to Captain in January 2007.

Cmdr. Guillermo Lüttges, EC04-3 is the Commanding Officer of the Southern Missile Boat Command.

Jose P. Valdivieso, EC04-3, was promoted to Brigadier General and will serve as the Commanding Officer in the Logistics Division.

CHINA

Mr. Zhongbin Li, EC01-1, has transferred from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Investment Promotion Bureau of Heilongjiang Province, China.

Dr. Jing Lu, EC02-1, is Counselor for Political Affairs and Spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in Israel.

EL SALVADOR

Lt. Col. Jose Camilo Benitez, CSRT 04-2, was promoted to a new duty as Executive Officer of the Engineer Command.

FIJI

Sam Saumatua, EC98-2 is deployed to Iraq until mid 2007.

Maj. Isireli Dakunimata, EC05-1, returned to Fiji after serving one year as a Battalion Commander in Sinai.

INDIA

Dr. M. S. Mamik, EC98-1, recently published a chapter in a book, “Indian Foreign Policy: Challenges and Opportunities.” Dr. Mamik is currently the Programme Director MBA at MREI Faridabad, near New Delhi. He also published a Chapter on Formal and Non Formal Threats in a book “WMD’s: Options for India.” Dr. Mamik has also volunteered to serve as the POC for India’s APCSS Alumni Association.

Brigadier Ata Hasnain, EC00-2, will soon be promoted to Major General and will take charge of a division in the Kashmir Valley by early June 07.

Jatinder Sikand, EC01-1, was promoted to Brigadier General and is Defense and Military Attaché in the Indian Embassy in Washington D. C.

Neeraj Bali, EC03-3, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier.

Group Capt. Amit Tiwari, EC05-2, has been posted to Kabul Afghanistan as Air Attaché.

Mr. Anil Upadhyay, SEC06-2 was promoted to Additional Secretary in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India

Satish Vijeshwer, EC06-2, was promoted to Major General. He stated “APCSS contributed immensely in shaping our life and career.”

Lt. Col. Sharad (Sangita) Bajpai, EC06-3, was awarded the “Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation” for good work in year 2006. He was promoted to the rank of full Colonel.

INDONESIA

Brig. Gen.Bibit Santoso, SEC06-3 and EC99-2, reported that Indonesian alumni successfully established their APCSS alumni association. He also reported that Indonesia sent two aircraft with food and clothes to help with the relief efforts in the Philippines in response to the typhoon disaster.

Dr Ikrar Nusa Bhakti, EC02-1, expressed appreciation for the concern and condolences for the victims of the disastrous flooding that occurred in his country. “Thank you very much for the APCSS condolences to us. All of us are fine.”

Maj. Gen. (Ret) Albert Inkiriwang, SEC04-1, reported that the National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia (Lemhannas RI) has revitalized its structure, organization, vision, and mission. Beside the old structure, a Steering Board parallel with the Governor was established and MG Inkiriwang is the Secretary.

Iwan Satriawan, EC04-3, is serving in a new position in the Political Section of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore.

Mr. Rulijanto, EC05-2, was promoted to Head of Customs Service office - Mataram in February 2007.

JAPAN

Col. Komei Mihara, EC02-1 is the 1st Infantry Regimental Commander Tokyo, Japan.

Mr. Toshio Saito, SEC05-3 was assigned as the Director of Equipment Policy Division, Bureau of Finance and Equipment, Japan Defense Agency. He and Mr. Kazushige Tanaka, EC00-2, reported the Government of Japan (GoJ) changed its defense organization’s name from Defense Agency to Ministry of Defense (MoD) and allowed MoD to conduct international cooperative operations (e.g. peacekeeping operations, humanitarian rescue operations) as its main missions.

Col. Naoyoshi Oyama, EC98-3, was transferred from Defense Intelligence Headquarters, Ichigaya to Headquarters of Northern Air Defense Force, Misawa, Japan.

LAOS

Mr. Phomma Sidsena, EC99-1, works at the Laos Embassy in Washington D.C., and he has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Mission.

MADAGASCAR

Dominique Rakotozafy, EC99-2, was appointed as the Commandant of the Military Academy of Madagascar in February.

Ranaivoseheno, Louis Antoine de Padoue, EC05-2, was promoted to Captain and is head of Human Resources Bureau of the Naval Forces Command.

MALAYSIA

Vice Admiral Dato’ Amdan Kurish, SEC05-3, was just promoted and became Fleet Commander.

Gen. Muhammad Ismail Jamaluddin, SEC03-1, was promoted to the Chief of Army Malaysia in February.

Rear Adm. Radavidson Abel Nirina, EC01-2, was promoted to his second star and became the Commandant of Malagasy Naval Forces.

Ambassador Mohd Arshad M. Hussain, SEC05-2, was appointed the Malaysian Ambassador to Austria based in Vienna as well as the Malaysia Permanent Representative to the United Nations Offices’ in Vienna.

Abdul Halim Saad, EC99-2, recently retired from the Malaysian Government and is now a consultant in his own company called Country Risk Consultancy, dealing with country risk advice and training.

Brig. Gen. Dato’ Zainal bin Abdul Rahman, EC01-1, is still serving with the International Monitoring Team - Mindanao 3 (IMT-M 3) in the Philippines. He received the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP) from the Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang. The award carries the title DATO’.

Col. Jaafar Kasim, EC01-2 assumed his new position as the Commandant of Air Force College in March.

Adm. Dato Ilyas Bin HJ Din, SEC02-2, retired as Chief of Malaysian Navy.

Capt. Subramaniam
Raman, EC02-2, transferred from Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College to Naval Education Training Command as Chief of Staff.

Cmdr. Jamel Abd Rahman, EC03-2, will assume the duties Director of Royal Malaysian Navy Leadership Centre.

Dato’ Mohd Yusof Ahmad, EC04-3, was appointed as Ambassador of Malaysia to Switzerland with accreditation to Liechtenstein. He indicated that it is a very cold winter and he longs for the days in Hawaii.

Cmdr. Mohd Yusri bin Mohd Yunus, EC06-2, is now “concentrating on the coming Bilateral Training and Consultative Group in short BITACG between US and Malaysia where he is the co-Secretary together with Maj Ma from PACOM.”

Cmdr. Ganesh Navaratnam, EC06-2, is attending the Defence College in Malaysia this year.

Sharifuddin ABD Ghani, EC06-3, was promoted to Senior Assistant Commissioner II (SAC II) Brigadier General equivalent and posted to a new Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Police Headquarters Bukit Aman Kuala Lumpur.

MALDIVES

Mr. Ahmed Rasheed, EC01-2, was appointed Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lt. Col.
Zakariyya Mansoor, EC01-3, attended NESA Center in Washington DC. “We are trying our best to learn from each other for a better person to person contact in our region which some time in the future might help to resolve problems and most importantly also to assist our major players in the region.”

High Commissioner Shaheed Zaki, EC02-3, is the non-resident High Commissioner to Singapore and also a Member of Parliament.

MARSHALL ISLANDS

Mr. Biuma Samson, Executive Course 05-2, stated “We have to continue this forum of sharing information together to combat this unacceptable norm that deprives the people from their basic right to freedom and liberty. This is very special to me that I have made a commitment to myself to take part and to attend all the Counter-Terrorism initiatives especially the meetings here at the UN. As a matter of fact, I am working closely with the Counter-Terrorism office here and the Marshall Islands’ Counter-Terrorism Committee finding ways and means to protect our borders and training of personnel that charge to safe-guard the safety and security of our people and those visiting our country. I am proud of what I am doing and will continue to do this to the best of my ability.”

MICRONESIA

Herman Semes Jr., EC01-3, has a new position as Civil Affairs Officer.

MONGOLIA

Oyu Vasha, EC99-1 was promoted to Second Secretary and is now based in the Mongolian embassy in Bangkok.

NEPAL

Madhuban Paudel, EC03-2, transferred to the Mission of Nepal in the U.S. as Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations.

Brig. Gen. Nar Bahadur Kandel, EC 05-1, successfully completed Brigade Command at home. At present, he is attending Royal College of Defence Studies course in London.

Col. Anuj Basnyat, EC06-1 is now the Deputy Commander of the 23rd Bde in Baglung.

Ramindra Chhetri, CSRT 06-1, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in February and is now the Director of Public Relations.

Dr. Saubhagya Shah, EC06-2, said “I have been teaching at the Army Command and Staff College for some time. The course I took at APCSS has helped me to sharpen my course focus here, introduce new lectures, and initiate new research methodologies for military officers.”

Deputy Superintendent of Police Subodh Ghimire, CSRT 04-2 was recently promoted to Superintendent of Police

NEW ZEALAND

Maj. Gen. Clive Lilley, SEC02-1, is retiring from the New Zealand Defense Force.

Renny VanderVelde, ECO2-3, resigned from the Royal New Zealand Navy three years ago, was appointed National Manager Intelligence at New Zealand Immigration and two months ago moved into his current appointment as General Manager Maritime Security.

Mathew Leslie, EC06-1, left the New Zealand Customs Service to move to Fiji. He was appointed as the Regional Security Advisor to the Forum Secretariat based in Suva.

Dr. Peter Greener, SSTR 06-1, is now the Head of Division of Public Health and Psychosocial Studies Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences AUT, Auckland New Zealand.

Mr. Gordon Hook, SEC06-1, is the Executive Secretary (CEO) of the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing based in Sydney, Australia.

Navy Captain Warren Cummins, EC01-3 has retired from the Navy and is now working for the corrections department

NIUE ISLAND

Tonyata Edwards, EC02-1, has been promoted to Police Sergeant.

Police Sgt. Gregory Harding, EC04-2 was selected for peace keeping duties in the Solomons.

Nina Hekau, EC05-2, will soon study for a Masters in Law (LLM) at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Brent Ioane, EC05-1, has been promoted to Police Sergeant.

Senior Police Sgt. Robert Togiamana, EC02-3 leads the Immigration Dept.

PAKISTAN

Maj. Shabbir Hussain, CSRT 05-2, was selected as UN Military Observer for the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

EC graduates Tahir Hanfi, 04-1, Dr. Babar Shah, 04-2, and Rasheed Khalid, 05-2, have volunteered to serve as the POCs for the APCSS Alumni Association. Congratulations! We wish you great success!

Group Capt. Hamid Faraz, EC06-3, was promoted in March. The Government of Pakistan conferred Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military) upon him. This term translates as the medal of excellence. For those in the military it is given after distinguished service and is also the highest medal award that can be awarded to those at the rank of Colonel.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Col. Verave Mae, EC03-2 and SSTR 06-1, has been posted as the acting Joint Force Commander.

Emmanuel Mungu, EC04-3, is currently in Australia under-taking post graduate studies in Master of International Relations at the University of Wollongong.

PHILIPPINES

Maria Ortuoste, EC99-1, taught a class in International Security at Arizona State University and wrote an article entitled “Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Nuclear-Weapon Free Zones: The Case of Southeast Asia.”

Ma Edna Guevara, EC00-3 and CSRT 04-1, was awarded the most prestigious UK Chevening Senior Fellowship Grant to take up a short course in “Conflict Resolution” at the University of York, UK. Only 12 people worldwide were given the grant.

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Nags Lomodag, EC02-1, works at the Office of Speaker Jose C. De Venecia, Jr. as Consultant on Security and Peace Process. He also works as local consultant of the Henry Dunant Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, a Geneva-based NGO.

Maj. Jun Nayve, CSRT 04-1 is attending the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey California taking a Masters in Science in Defense Analysis ( Special Operations Low Intensity Conflict).

Ferdinand B. Cui Jr., EC04-2, was promoted to Assistant Secretary and is now in Singapore for the Lee Kuan Yew Fellowship until August then off to Kennedy School of Government at Harvard in the fall.

Col. Rodrigo “Oddie” Diapana, CSRT 04-2, recently transferred to a new position as DCS for Intel, J2, GHQ, as Division chief, Anti Terrorism Division.

Ms. Auralyn Pascual, EC04-3 completed her Masters in Transnational Crime Prevention at the University of Wollongong, Australia. She is also back to work at the National Bureau of Investigation, this time as Chief of the Management Planning and Audit Division.

Maj. Gen. Rodolfo Tor, EC04-3, is now the U.N. Police (UNPOL) Commissioner of Timor-Leste under U.N.Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). He is also the General Commander of the Timorese National Police (PNTL). His task is to fulfill the UN mandate to ensure through the presence of UNPOL, the restoration and maintenance of public security in Timor Leste through the provision of support to the PNTL.

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Edilberto P. Adan, SEC05-2, was appointed by President Arroyo as the Executive Director of the Presidential Commission on the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (PCVFA). He will also be overseeing the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). He retired last year as the Commanding General of Southern Command.

Col. Nichols Ojeda Jr., EC06-1, is Deputy Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army.

Jay Espinosa, CSRT 06-1. “The Philippines finally has its own anti-terror law. President Arroyo signed into law the landmark Human Security Act of 2007 or the anti-terrorism bill, cementing the country’s unwavering commitment to fight global terrorism.”

Superintendent Carlos Lozano, CSRT 06-1, will be Chief, Intelligence and Operations Division effective July 2007. He also reported the Philippines will host the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting/ Post Ministerial Meeting and 14th ASEAN Regional Forum this summer in Manila. CSRT graduates will be utilized on the security planning for the event.

Capt. Abdurasad (Abe) Sirajan, SSTR 06-1, was named the Balikatan ‘07 Commander on Sulu, a position normally filled by an O-6. Abe feels that he was selected for this position in part due to his newly acquired expertise after successful completion of the APCSS SSTR course.

Maj. Gen. Ferdinand Bocobo, SEC06-3, is now the Inspector General, AFP.

Cmdr. Joeroy Mendoza, EC07-1, is currently assigned as the Chief, Operational Analysis Division (OAD) of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5.

Ms. Annette Manansala, Philippines, EC05-1, was promoted to Assistant Secretary in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Kim, Yong-Wha, EC02-2, was promoted to Brigadier General and he is Assistant Chief of Staff, Engineers, First Republic of Korea Army.

Jingyu Lee, EC05-2, was promoted to Colonel and now he works at 6th corps of ROK Army, as G-2 and next year he will be assigned as the regiment commander near Daegu.

Lt. Col. Ryu Young Kwan, EC05-2, is now Chief of Exercise and Training Division for AFOC at Osan AB, Korea

RUSSIA

Vladimir Cherny, EC02-2, published an article about “Hypothesis of the Superconducting Origin of Saturn’s Rings.”

Larissa Ruban, EC04-3, has organized and lectured at several seminars and exercises recently to include a Counterterrorism Exercise at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Carnegie Seminars, and Jubilee Kremlin 5th Russian Energetic Forum.

SINGAPORE

Lt. Col. Desmond Chong, EC06-2, reported that he and Ling were married as planned in September. Congratulations Des and Ling.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Edward Tokuru, EC00-1, is now the Director of the Maritime Unit.

Solomon Auga, EC00-3, is now retired. He is now a reverend and working as a parish Priest Anglican Church of Solomon Islands All Saint Parish, Honiara.

Leslie Mason, EC02-2, is now retired and working for RAMSI Law and Justice Program, RAMSI Law and Justice Program Case Support Unit.

Robert Piringisau, EC02-3, is now the Acting Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations.

Nelson Nausi, EC04-1, is now the Commander of the National Response Unit.

SRI LANKA

Maj. Gen. Parakrama Pannipitiya, EC00-3, recently graduated from the National Defense College in New Delhi. On Dec. 18, 2006, he was appointed as Security Force Commander (East) in Sri Lanka.

Lt. Gen. Ravi Arunthavanathan, EC01-2, was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff Sri Lanka Air Force.

Ranaweerasinghe Dayapala, EC03-2 and SEC06-3, was promoted to Air Vice Marshal.

Mendaka Samarasinghe, EC04-1,has been promoted to Major General and is in New Delhi attending the National Defence College’s National Security and Strategic Studies Course. He is General Officer Commanding, 22nd Division, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

Group Captain Gagan Bulathsinghala, EC05-1, graduated from a National Security and Strategic Studies Course.

He was also promoted to Air Commodore in January 2007. He has been posted as the Chief Instructor at the newly established (Air) Defence Service Command and Staff College in Batalanda, Sri Lanka.

Savitri Panabokke, EC06-2, transferred from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo to the Sri Lanka High Commission in Singapore as First Secretary.

Mr. Ranjith Gunaratna, EC 02-2, assumed his duties at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka as the Director General, East Asia and Pacific Division.

TAIWAN

David Lin, EC06-2, is Director, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Sydney, Australia.

THAILAND

Gen. Kasemsak Plooksawat, SEC01-2, was named chairman of advisory committee to chairman of election commission.

Mr. Somphot Kanchanaporn, SEC03-2, was named a member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

Mr. Prakit Prachonpachanuk, SEC05-1, was promoted to Secretary General of National Security Council. He is also a member of the

National Legislative Assembly and is the new President of the Thai alumni association.

Thiwa Penketgorn, EC99-2 was promoted to Major General and selected as the Director of the External Relations Office, Directorate of Joint Intelligence.

Capt. Pongsak Somboon, EC02-1, is attending Defence and Strategic Studies Course in Australian Defence College.

Col. Pisak Sungkobol, EC05-2, was promoted as Assistant Director of Plans and Strategy Division, Directorate of Joint Operations, Supreme Command Headquarters.

TIMOR-LESTE

Counsellor Roberto Soares, EC03-1, writes about his country’s passion for peace and security. “I wish to inform that despite all difficulties and challenges we are facing today, our leaders and people of Timor-Leste continue to be united in safeguarding peace and security for our loving country. Recently, I was in Dili for five working days…and have witnessed the strong commitment and dedication of all our leaders from all state institutions in promoting peace, dialogue and reconciliation for our people.”

UNITED STATES

Brig. Gen. John R. Allen, SEC05-1, will be the Deputy Commanding General, II MEF (Forward) for Governance and Economic Development for the next 13 months in Multinational Force - West in Iraq.

Larry D. Amante, CSRT 05-1, has a new job as the Chief, Operating Officer for ATAP International, a developer corporation for affordable housing for emerging countries.

Michelle Bas, JEC05-2, was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard.

Cmdr. Steven Bennet, EC02-1, has come off active duty for special work (ADSW) orders at U.S. Pacific Command J7 TSCP Exercises Branch (Australia). He is at Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet N37 as a Joint Exercise Planner (Defense Contractor working for CUBIC Applications, Inc.).

Cmdr. Byron Black, EC03-1, took over as the first Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Unit, Wilmington, N.C.

Scott Blatter, EC06-2, stated that the course helped him perform increasingly challenging job responsibilities. Specifically, he was promoted to GS14 since leaving the course.

Mr. Jeff Bolander, EC99-3, visited the APCSS library web page using the Ask-a-Librarian reference service. The library staff found the information and faxed it to him at the conference. Mr. Bolander reported back that the information was “very helpful.” Thanks library.

Rear Adm. Robert Burt, EC03-2: Fellow alumni from his class reported that Bob is “going through extensive treatment for cancer (Multiple Myeloma). He is in good spirits and getting outstanding care and treatment at Bethesda National Naval Medical Center in Washington, DC. Let’s keep Chaplain Burt in our prayers and hope for strong recovery.”

Mr. Scott Bush, CSRT 05-2 and SSTR 06-2, is currently serving as the Team Chief for 5/10 Civil Military Operation Force, Detachment Two, Team Four in Ramadi, Iraq. Currently the Team is focused on the repair of the electric grid and water treatment plants. Successful human engagement has led to security improvements in the city that in turn allow the reconstruction process to begin.

Dr. Charles Craft, EC05-1, participated in humanitarian dental work in Danang, Vietnam and is now on a medical mission in the Philippines. He also performed temporary duty aboard the USS Kitty Hawk in May.

Toby Collins, JEC07-1, resigned his commission, and has taken a position as a senior research analyst with CENTRA Technology, Inc. in Arlington, VA.

Dr. Peter Frederiksen, EC01-1, Professor of (Defense) Economics at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., retired in February.

Mr, Jack Greenwood, EC 03-3, is currently working for CENTRA Technology. This summer he will be traveling to Bangkok, New Delhi and Seoul on company business and, if possible, he would like to see any of his classmates that may be in those cities.

Eva Gonzalez, EC05-2, is working now for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Lanham, MD.

Lt. Col. Paul Guevin, Outreach Malaysia 2006, will be moving within two months to Montgomery, Alabama to take command of Detachment 2, 26th Network Operations Group.

Lt. Col. (Ret) Lewis Herrington, EC99-1, now owns an “IT” Company and does consulting.

Capt. Jarod Hughes, JEC05-2, was promoted to Assistant Director of Operations, 517th Airlift Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, AK.

Lt. Col. Mylene Huynh, EC03-2, worked with PACOM to conduct an avian flu rapid response workshop in Phnom Penh in February. Their activity emphasized interagency collaboration and border issues pertaining to pandemic flu preparedness and control. She departs soon for Kirkland, N.M. where she will be a squadron commander.

Col. Michael Keogh, EC05-3, reported “Zaman (Masihuzzaman Serniabat) from Bangladesh and I have been corresponding. He is currently in China attending the NDU while I am still in Australia. Zaman sent me a picture of him and some colleagues which included a Brunei officer. A Brunei officer in my CDSS recognized the officer and requested his email. So here we go: A U.S. Army officer in Australia sends an email to a Bangladesh Air Force officer in China requesting the email address of a Brunei officer also in China for a Brunei officer in Australia. By the way, we succeeded!”

Maj. Mike Kirkpatrick, CSRT05-1, deployed to Afghanistan as the Senior Army Mentor to an Afghan Army Recon Kandak (Battalion).

Mr. Paul Kreutzer, JEC05-3, started a new position as Staff Assistant in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM), Department of State, Washington, D.C.

Capt. Michael Maddox, EC01-1 graduates from the Naval War College in June before becoming the Surgeon for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

Navy Lt. Marvin Park, JEC05-2, is currently assigned a Tactical Action Officer onboard USS Ronald Reagan.

Phuong Pierson, EC03-1, was promoted to Colonel.

Lt. Col. Victor Salazar, EC02-3, traveled to Sri Lanka in the capacity as a NGO rep (Olive Branch Intl) in February where he met with Sri Lankan APCSS alumni.

Capt. Phillip G. Sawyer, EC98-2, is the SUBRON 15 Commander in Guam.

Mr. LeRoy Smith, EC03-1, is on a temporary assignment with the State Dept. in the Marshall Islands.

Maj. Richard Stevens, JEC05-2 is currently assigned in Seoul, Republic of Korea as an Exercise Planner.

Lt. Col. Keith Swensen, EC05-1, transferred from Japan and is now the Chief of Policy, Plans, and Strategy for the Aerospace Defense Division of NORAD-NORTHCOM.

Eric Udouj, SSTR 06-2, was recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and is assigned as the Operations Officer to the 322 Civil Affairs Brigade at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

VANUATU

Lt. Col. Aru Maralau, EC98-3, is now the Commander of Policing Services.

Arthur Caulton, EC00-2, has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Superintendent Dan Rakau, EC02-1, is now the Commander of Police Maritime Wing.

Photos:

Ambassador Singye Dorjee, Bhutan, EC03-2, reported that Ms. Rudeewan Kateluxana, Thailand, EC03-2, was able to come to Bhutan’s National Day reception - she shared photos of the festivities. Mahadi Maidin, Brunei, of the same course also shared some pictures at the reception on the occasion of Brunei National Day on Feb 23rd in Tokyo. It was a pleasure to have our APCSS friend Mr. Takeomi Yamamoto, also of EC 3-2 and his wife at the event....well ....Sumo wrestlers were there too.”

Two alumni from Executive Course 04-3, Air Commodore Muhammad Rauf, Bangladesh and Mr. Joseph Yun, United States, reunited at the U.S. embassy in Seoul, Korea.

Maj. Gen. Heryadi, EC 04-1, Indonesia, stated “I just recently was invited by Multinational Force Standing Operating Procedures Workshop as a guest speaker on disaster relief operation in Indonesia. The workshop held by TNI-USPACOM was attended by 20 country participants on Nov 5-10-2006 in Jakarta. I also met one of my Mongolian classmates Col Davaadorj.”

Alumni Family & in the Field (Photos)

Dear Friends:

I’m at home again, with all my family and I’d like to introduce them to you because they’re part of me, and obviously I couldn’t pay my family’s trip to Hawaii (I would need to charter a half Boeing 747). I hope you all are enjoying your families and the “home sweet home” in your countries. I’ve the best memories about you and my house’s doors will be open to welcome you if you come to Chile. CDR Gabriel Roman, EC06-3.

In March, Classmates from EC00-3, Col. Kevin Madden (US), Chief JUSMAG-Korea and Jian Yang (China), MFA, were able to connect in Beijing for a wonderful dinner. Kevin and Jian reminisced about the great times and understandings developed at APCSS. Both of their families are doing well and send a hearty “Aloha!”

Arunrung Phothong, Thailand, and Liam Humphreys, United States, both grads from EC 01-3 were married in November. “The long-awaited event really did happen in a fairytale fashion -- and as a successful product of APCSS ‘engagement’ and a fusion of East and West traditions, in the provincial town of Lampang.” Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Brigadier Lalith Daulagala (EC06-03 and CS04-1) and his wife at a banquet celebrating the contributions of his regiment in Sri Lanka. His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka participated in the event.

Lt. Cmdr. Scott Kim, JEC 05-1, reported a new addition to his family: Annelise Helen Kim was born on Sept. 10, 2006. Congratulations! Kim is now a Asia-Pacific Port Security Liaison Officer at U.S. Coast Guard Activities Far East (Tokyo, Japan).

Ms. Megan Stauder, U.S, EC06-2 recently visited Kirabati. Photographed above are: Megan Stauder (left), Teata Tauanibure (far right), Teata’s wife and a Kiribati Police officer. Megan reported that “besides the knowledge gained at APCSS, I met invaluable POCs throughout the region, who have all gone out of their way to collaborate on security cooperation issues with JIATF West. For example, my APCSS classmates, Glansay Enos (Marshall Islands), Tom Tun (Micronesia), and Teata Tauanibure (Kiribati), were instrumental in orchestrating recent visits by JIATF West and US Coast Guard personnel to these three nations to conduct transnational crime assessments…Without the contacts made during APCSS, JIATF West would’ve had a very difficult time gathering information and coordinating with the right personnel to compile a comprehensive report on Micronesia, which will be shared with these host nations, to fight transnational crime issues in the Pacific.”

Takeomi Yamamoto, Japan, EC03-3, and his wife Satoko have a newborn baby--April 21, 2007. Both the baby and Satoko are fine and healthy.

(top left) Maj Jonathan K. Graff, U.S., SSTR 06-1 reported that he was in Jolo, Philippines last week “Looking at CMO projects with my boss when I bumped into Abed (Capt Abdurasad Sirajan, SSTR 06-1) who was helping build a road to Bato Bato. The Filipinos are making great progress with these efforts; everyone we talked to was excited about the new roads and schools they were building.”

(left) Capt. James Puttler, U.S., and Mr. Rostum Bautista, Philippines, from EC02-2, reunited in the Philippines.

Alumni Associations

Bangladesh

Cambodia -new***

Fiji

Indonesia -new

Rep. of Korea -new

Malaysia -new

Madagascar *

Mongolia

Nepal

Pakistan

Palau

Philippines

Papua New Guinea Russia **

Thailand

Vietnam -new

United States (Hawaii & DC) -new

Pending Associations

Bhutan, Brunei, Chile, Cook Islands, Guam, India, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Peru, Sri Lanka, Tonga and Vanuatu

* Joint alumni association with the Africa Center

** Joint alumni association with the Marshall Center

*** informal group

DOD offers Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program

The 21st century has witnessed the emergence of terrorist threats unprecedented in their global reach, distributed nature, and willingness to target civilian populations of any creed. Using modern communication tools and media, terrorist organizations pose a grave and continuing threat to peace and stability across the globe. Countering these terrorist threats requires a level of cooperation between countries and their respective security officials never before imagined. Such cooperation can not occur without a concerted effort by nations to bring their security officials together to develop relationships and build a network that will enable them to coordinate and act quickly and effectively with partners and allies to counter emerging threats.

The Combating Terrorism (CbT) Fellowship Program is a U.S. Department of Defense program specifically designed to help reinforce the combating terrorism capabilities of partner nations, as well as build and strengthen the global network of combating terrorism experts and practitioners who are committed to fighting this threat.

Administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the CbT Fellowship Program (“CTFP”) has provided combating terrorism education to well over five thousand security personnel from approximately one hundred and forty countries. Education funded by the Fellowship is focused on non-U.S. mid to senior level officials who are in key positions within their nation’s combating terrorism or security organizations. Those military officials, ministry of defense civilians, and other security officials who complete CTFP-funded education and training are expected to have a positive impact on their country’s combating terrorism capabilities throughout their career. Many CTFP graduates of invitational and other individual training and education have played key roles in their country’s combating terrorism efforts, such as working in a National CT Center, developing CT policy and doctrine for their country’s security forces, or commanding national counterterrorism assets.

Combating Terrorism Fellowship offers a variety of education resources that are designed and targeted to achieve the goals of both our partner nations and the Department of Defense, such as: Masters Degree–producing education at the National Defense University (Washington, DC) and the Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey, California); individual US-based training at DoD schools, mobile education and training events, and comprehensive programs with regional and global application at the five DoD Regional Centers.

Mobile education and training events can be particularly useful as they can be tailored to address specific regional threats and challenges. Providers for such events include the Center for Civil Military Relations (CCMR), the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and the Defense Institute for Medical Operations (DIMO). Programs from these providers can range from the legal aspects of combating terrorism to disaster planning and management to maritime/port anti-terrorism strategy. CbT Fellowship can also fund less standard training events, such as investigative training from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Often, the students who participate in these local or regional events find themselves working together again in a real world situation. For example, participants of the medical disaster planning mobile training event (provided by DIMO) held in Jordan in September 2005 relied on their training and education to respond to the horrible November 2005 hotel bombings in Amman.

Each of the five DoD Regional Centers has a combating terrorism program funded from Fellowship funds, such as the Comprehensive Security Response to Terrorism course hosted by the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. These Regional Center programs are particularly useful in maintaining a global combating terrorism network since they bring together officials from many different countries to learn about and discuss combating terrorism issues from their country’s point of view. The Regional Centers also host innovative events, like the Countering Ideological Support for Terrorism (CIST) Conference at the George C. Marshall Center, to discuss the ideological aspects of, and how to counter, terrorism.

The Security Assistance Office (SAO) in the United States Embassy in your country is the initial gateway to the Combating Terrorism Fellowship Program. Officers and officials wishing to participate in the types of programs mentioned in this paper should utilize their country’s procedures to contact the American Embassy’s Security Assistance Officer, or the Office of Defense Cooperation, to learn more about the opportunities available to them as well as the requirements for participation in these valuable programs.

For more information, please visit: www.dod.mil/policy/sections/policy_offices/gsa/ctfp/index.html

New technology coming to the classroom at APCSS

Introducing new Education Technology (ET) into the seminar rooms is a priority at APCSS. Recently Dr. Alexandre Mansourov attended a conference showcasing the latest ET tools and how to use them. We asked him about future use of ET here.

Q: Is technology compatible with the APCSS focus on building cooperation?
A. Absolutely, yes. Educational Technology is a key enabler of the successful fellow-centered learning in our "smart classroom" environment. Our use of technology is about four "C"s - enriching and sharing Content through the use of Computer-based platforms and enhanced Connectivity, thereby creating new opportunities for Cooperation. For example, to put together a media wall presentation featuring multiple simultaneous video streams, one needs a great deal of collaboration and teamwork among the fellows putting it together against a deadline.

Q: In what ways does this new technology improve the learning and sharing experience at APCSS?
A: New smart appliances and applications enabling intensified classroom interaction (like interactive SmartBoards and digital tablets) and learning beyond classroom (like PodCasting and videocasting) will allow us to gradually shift from traditional instructor-centered approaches to the participant-centered learning paradigm, to focus our efforts on learning by doing with more opportunities for mutual sharing and custom-tailored learning on demand anytime and anywhere. Technology will also help our English as a Second Language fellows overcome language barriers in their communication. This is precisely what our Fellows tell us that they need.

Q: How do you introduce fellows with limited experience in technology to the concept so that they get the most of their time here?
A: We try to introduce various smart technologies "from end to end" throughout our educational process. During lectures, besides PowerPoint presentations, many professors use polling technology to gauge the common sense of the group on different issues under discussion. In our "smart classrooms," we introduce fellows to the latest smart hardware like the SmartBoards as well as electronic internet-based maps. We also offer specialized computer training classes where fellows can learn how to use MS Office software and various Internet applications. We teach fellows how to use the web portal of the Asia-Pacific Collaborative Security Consortium and its collaborative tools like chat rooms, discussion boards, and wiki-wikis. Even off campus, they will soon have the broadband Internet connection and the opportunity to listen to the PodCasts and watch videocasts of our class materials. In general, the modern day smart technologies are so user-friendly that one does not need to be Einstein to master them. As a matter of fact, most of the technologies we offer are used in U.S. elementary schools.

To sum up, while much of this is still in the planning stages, new technology will make a difference in the quality of learning environment at APCSS. It enables our fellows to achieve their learning objectives faster, more effectively and efficiently, as well as to retain their knowledge longer and use it more productively here and beyond classroom. The center leadership and faculty are committed to technological innovation in our education process in order to improve learning and sharing and build cooperation among our fellows.

PUBLICATIONS

Ethnic Separatism in Southern Thailand

APCSS professor Dr. Ian Storey recently published a report on the separatist movement in Thailand called “Ethnic Separatism in Southern Thailand: Kingdom Fraying at the Edge?”

According to the report, nearly 1,900 lives have been lost in separatist violence in Thailand’s three Muslim-majority southern provinces since January 2004.

“The root causes of this latest phase of separatist violence are a complex mix of history, ethnicity, and religion, fueled by socio-economic disparities, poor governance, and political grievances,” states Storey. “Observers differ on the role of radical Islam in the south, though the general consensus is that transnational terrorist groups are not involved.”

In addition, a clear picture of the insurgency is rendered difficult by the multiplicity of actors, and by the fact that none of the groups involved has articulated clear demands. What is apparent, however, is that the overall aim of the insurgents is the establishment of an independent Islamic state comprising the three provinces, according to Storey.

The paper’s overview also states that:

• The heavy-handed and deeply flawed policies of the Thaksin government during 2004-2006 deepened the trust deficit between Malay-Muslims and the Thai authorities and fueled separatist sentiment.

• Post-coup, the Thai authorities have made resolving violence in the south a priority, and promised to improve governance and conduct a more effective counter-insurgency campaign.

• Despite the emphasis on national reconciliation, violence in the south has escalated dramatically post-coup. Although the Thai government predicts that the violence will be contained within six months, few observers share this optimism, and many expect that the violence will increase during 2007.

• The United States is constrained in its ability to assist Thailand, as the presence of U.S. military advisers would likely exacerbate the problem. The United States should, however, encourage the Thai authorities to improve good governance in the south, and pass on counter-insurgency lessons learned from American experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Read more about “Ethnic Separatism in Southern Thailand: Kingdom Fraying at the Edge?” on our website at www.apcss.org.

“Asia-Pacific for Kids”
As part of our community relations program, we’re working with Hawaii to help educate people about the Asia-Pacific region. Our website now has a section called “AP for Kids.” Enjoy games, trivia and links to great sites to learn more about the region.

contacts

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

Director – Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Edwin Smith, U.S. Army

Deputy Director – Brig. Gen. (Ret.) James T. Hirai, U.S. Army

State Department Advisor – Ambassador (Ret.) Charles Salmon

COLLEGE OF SECURITY STUDIES

Dean – Dr. Lee H. Endress

Deputy Dean – Col. (Ret.) David Shanahan, U.S. Army

Academic Affairs –Lt. Col. Anthony Frederick, U.S. Air Force

College Operations - CDR Bette Bush, U.S. Navy

Dr. Ehsan Ahrari - Central Asia/Counterterrorism

Dr. Rouben Azizian – Diplomacy/Eurasia

Lt. Col. Carl Baker, U.S. Air Force – Conflict Resolution

Dr. Don Berlin – Indian Ocean

Lt. Col. Eugene Bose, U.S. Marine Corps – Int’l Relations

Capt. Carleton Cramer, U.S. Navy - International Law

Dr. Elizabeth Van Wie Davis – China

Mr. Herman Finley, Jr. – SSTR
Dr. David Fouse – Japan

Mr. Mark Harstad – Ops. Research Analyst

Dr. Taj Hashmi - South Asia/Counterterrorism

Dr. Steven Kim – Korea

Col. Charles King, U.S. Army - SSTR

Lt. Col. Randy Lawrence, U.S. Army - China FAO

Dr. J. Mohan Malik – Asian Geopolitics & Proliferation

Dr. Alexandre Mansourov – Northeast Asia/Korea

Dr. John Miller – Japan

Dr. Alfred Oehlers - Southeast Asia/Sustainable
Development

Mr. Tom Peterman – Peacekeeping

Dr. Denny Roy – China/Taiwan

Dr. Yoichiro Sato – Japan/Political Economy

Dr. Virginia Watson – Science & Technology Policy

Lt. Col. Michael Weisz, U.S. Army - Japan FAO/Security
Assistance

Dr. Robert Wirsing – South Asia/Identity Politics

SEC Program Mgr: Col. (Ret.) David Shanahan

EC Program Mgr: Dr. Rouben Azizian

APOC Program Mgr: Dr. Elizabeth Van Wie Davis

CSRT Program Mgr: Capt. Carleton Cramer

SSTR Program Mgr: Mr. Herman Finley
Research Program Mgr: Dr. Robert Wirsing

Admissions & Business Operations

Director – Captain (Ret.) Richard Sears, U.S. Navy

Admissions Department

Chief – Mr. Tom Patykula

Alumni – Lt. Col. John Gasner, U.S. Air Force

Registrar – Lt. Col. John Sauer, U.S. Army

Email: AdmissionsDept@apcss.org
Alum@apcss.org

Conference Support Department

Chief – Ms. Lenore Patton

Information Service Department

Chief – Mr. Tom Thornton

Library

Chief – Ms. Tina Grice

Resource Management Department

Chief – CDR Derek Webster, S.C., U.S. Navy

PUBLIC AFFAIRS & STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION

Chief: Mary Markovinovic

PA Deputy Chief: Mike Daniels

StratCom Deputy: Maj. Bryan Greenstein

Photographer: Stephanie Hika

Public Affairs Assistant: Charlotte Robertson

Cover Art: Rona Paracuelles

CURRENTS EDITORIAL BOARD

Dr. Rouben Azizian

Maj. Rich Berry

Maj. Derek Brown

Mr. Mike Daniels

Lt. Col. Anthony Frederick

Ms. Jo Gardiner

Lt. Col. John Gasner

Maj. Bryan Greenstein

Ms. Tonya Imus

Ms. Mary Markovinovic

Maj. Mike Mollohan

Dr. Denny Roy

This publication is produced by the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies Public Affairs Office. Questions or comments can be
addressed by phone (808) 971-8916 or email to pao@apcss.org.

Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies * 2058 Maluhia Road * Honolulu, HI 96815

Back Cover photos: Aloha to our newest Alumni Associations: Vietnam and Malaysia.

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.