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The September 11 terror attacks profoundly impacted international politics, leading to a 20-year-long War in Afghanistan that concluded with the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021. In ‘Reflecting on America’s Withdrawal From Afghanistan: The View From Southeast Asia’ (Armed Forces & Society, 2023), Associate Professor Terence Lee (NUS Political Science) delves into the implications of the …
Reflecting on America’s Withdrawal From Afghanistan: The View From Southeast Asia Read More »
In ‘Hard rivalry for Buddhism’s soft power’ (Asia Times, August 2025), Associate Professor Jack Meng-Tat Chia (NUS History) explores how Buddhist relics, rituals, and networks have become tools of diplomacy across Asia. While the spotlight often falls on India and China’s competition for influence, Chia draws attention to Singapore’s quieter but no less significant role …
China’s ever-expanding Belt and Road Initiative, characterised by substantial investment in countries and international organisations along the former Silk Road, has generated extensive literature on its large-scale infrastructure projects. However, Professor Kenneth Dean (NUS Chinese Studies) argues that alternative networks in Southeast Asia, such as Chinese temples, regional, clan, and trade associations that connect Southeast …
One ocean, one temple: Alternative Chinese temple networks in Southeast Asia Read More »
Many university modules have traditionally adhered to a fixed lecture-tutorial format, culminating in written examinations. However, Associate Professor Ong Ee Cheng (NUS Economics) has reimagined this approach by uniquely designing a labour economics module centred on narrative inquiry for the final project. Narrative inquiry involves translating verbal information into stories that enhance understanding of a …
Learning labour economics through narrative interviews on the work that people do Read More »
The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the life and health of human beings worldwide. While the official death toll of the pandemic was reported to be 6.84 million by February 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that underreporting and indirect deaths might have brought the total to 14.9 million by 2021. This …
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on life expectancy at birth in Asia Read More »
At the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic, when wide-scale measures such as social distancing, lockdowns, and home quarantine orders were implemented, migrant workers (MW) were seemingly sidelined, with many lacking access to the robust national healthcare system or medical assistance. The arrival of the second wave of COVID-19 transmissions in 2020 cast a spotlight …
Introducing our ‘Celebrating Singapore Studies: Sixty Years of Nationhood’ campaign to mark SG60! #Singapore #SG60 #singaporestudies #nusfass #humanities #SocialSciences
As Singapore celebrates its 60th year of independence, the SG60 theme, ‘Building Our Singapore Together’, serves as a reminder to reflect on Singapore’s rich and multifaceted history. Much of the country’s early history is understood through traditional sources such as the official East India Company records, but exploring alternative narratives is essential to uncover the …
Knowing Singapore: The Evolution of Published Information in Europe, c.1500–1819 Read More »
As a meritocratic nation, Singapore normalises quality education as an enabler for a competent workforce and social mobility. While many middle to upper-class parents can comfortably support and uplift their children’s academic journeys, questions arise about whether children from low-income families may lack hope in academic achievement due to limited access to resources such as …
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adheres to the ASEAN Way, a policy of mutual non-interference and consensus decision-making among its 10 member states. Despite their declarations of unity and unanimity, this consensus-driven approach often poses coordination challenges, particularly in managing their multifaceted relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This is further …
Herding Cats: Coordination Challenges in ASEAN’s Approach to China Read More »