Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates –02 April 2026: At the invitation of the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute at the National University of Singapore, Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Yaacob, Fellow Researcher and Assistant Professor at the Rabdan Security and Defence Institute, delivered a presentation titled “Defence Diplomacy in Southeast Asia,” examining evolving patterns of defence engagement among major and middle powers in the region.
The presentation explored how external partners engage Southeast Asian countries through defence agreements, dialogue mechanisms, and joint military exercises. The research combined quantitative analysis with insights drawn from interviews with intelligence and defence officials from Southeast Asia, as well as representatives from major and middle powers, offering a comprehensive perspective on regional security cooperation.
The workshop convened more than 20 defence and security experts from Australia, the United States, the European Union, and across Southeast Asia, alongside approximately 70 representatives from armed forces, government institutions, embassies, and defence attaché offices, including delegations from the United Kingdom, India, and the United States. The discussions generated strong engagement among participants and contributed to advancing dialogue on contemporary security challenges and defence collaboration.
