Abdul Rahman Yaacob
Qualifications
Bachelor of Business Administration from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Master of Asia Pacific Studies (ANU) and Master of Arts (International Relations) from Flinders University, Australia.
Abdul Rahman Yaacob is a PhD candidate with the National Security College (NSC) at the Australian National University (ANU).
Between 2020 and 2022, he was a Teaching Fellow at the Australian Command and Staff Course (ASCS), Australian Defence College at Weston Creek, Canberra.
In December 2020, Rahman and two other PhD candidates successfully applied for a research grant from the Australian Army Research Centre (AARC). The research aimed to map out Southeast Asian security concerns, and to establish areas of mutual interests for the defence forces of the region with the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
PhD programme
Supervisor(s) and panel members
Publications
Author, “Towards a ‘Forward Defence’ for Singapore: Revisiting the Strategy of the Singapore Armed Forces, 1971-1978”, November 2022, British Journal for Military History, Volume 8, No 3.
Author, “Singapore’s Threat Perception: The Barter Trade Crisis and Malaysia’s Decision to Use Military Force against Singapore, October-December 1965”, March 2022, Australian Journal of Politics and History, Volume 68, Issue 1.
Published:
East Asia Forum
Author, “How relations with the West underpin Singapore’s defence”, 4 February 2023.
Author, “Strategic divergence threatens Australia-ASEAN relations”, 9 November 2022.
Author, “Cambodia’s Ream naval base attracts competing patrons”, 5 September 2022.
Author, “Improving Australia–ASEAN defence engagement”, 15 June 2022.
Author, “Keeping the Five Power Defence Arrangement relevant at 50”, 27 November 2021.
Author, “Can Malaysia afford frugality in air force modernisation?”, 9 July 2021.
Author, “Rethinking Philippines’ Submarines Program, 15 June 2021.
Author, “Singapore’s forward defence strategy goes naval”, 21 July 2019.
Author, “Singapore’s nextgen leadership to be baptised in fire”, 11 July 2019.
Co-author, “Singapore–Malaysia relations in troubled waters”, 30 Jan 2019.
Book Chapter, Author, “Deterrence, Diplomacy and Regional Stability: The FPDA and the Utility of Joint Military Exercises (JMEs) for Malaysia and Singapore”. A joint project by Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, with the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Nanyang Technological University, on Asian Conceptions and Practices of International Order (ACPIO).
Co-author, Report submitted to Australian Army Research Centre (AARC), “Finding Australia’s Role in Southeast Asian Security”.
Scholarships and fellowships
Australian Government Research Training Program
Academic Achievements
Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation for Master of Arts (International Relations), (Flinders University, 2017).
Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation for Master of Asia-Pacific Studies, (ANU, 2012).
Academic Interests
Great powers and small states security
Southeast Asian security and defence policy
Employment history
Prior to joining NSC, Rahman worked with the Ministry of Home Affairs/Singapore Police Force where he had several postings that extend from strategic planning to ground tactical domains. He has experiences in working with business and diplomatic communities on community policing, crime-prevention and counter-terrorism issues. In addition, he has extensive ground experience in planning and commanding security operations including security coverage for sensitive events and ceremonies involving Head of State/Government and foreign dignitaries. He has received several awards including the Commissioner of Police’s Commendation Award (Rejection of Bribe) and Minister for Home Affairs’ Operational Excellence Award (Team).
Work Experience
Academic Advisor to ASEAN defence officials course members - ASEAN-Australia Defence Postgraduate Scholarship Program (AADPSP), Strategic Defence & Studies Centre (SDSC), Australian National University: 2022-2023 Academic Tutor (undergraduates) – Asian Politics and Southeast Asian Security - Department of Political and Social Change (PSC), Australian National University: 2022-2023 Teaching Fellow – Australian Command and Staff Course (ACSC), Australian Defence College, Weston Creek. Exposure to Military Operations, Leadership Theory and Australia’s Strategic Environment: 2020-2022 Research Assistant – Sourcing, classification and indexing declassified defence, diplomatic and domestic security materials relating to three Southeast Asian states, Flinders University: 2019 Senior civil servant – Held several senior-level postings, including Commanding Officer and Head of Planning and Organisational Development: 20000 – 2018.
Mailing address
Crawford School of Public Policy
ANU College of Asia & the Pacific
J.G. Crawford Building No. 132
Lennox Crossing
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
Updated: 24 March 2023/Responsible Officer: Crawford Engagement/Page Contact: CAP Web Team
