“This workshop helped to build a shared understanding of opportunities in the Indian Ocean across a far-flung maritime community,” said workshop lead, APCSS professor Kerry Nankivell.

She added that it brought together a diverse group stakeholders and commentators from both countries, representing views including defense, foreign affairs, trade, law enforcement, and customs and immigration. Participants compared national and agency perspectives and identified and prioritized opportunities in the maritime domain.

The invitation-only workshop is envisioned as the first in a series of focused discussions involving the United States and India on themes related to the maritime domain of the wider Indo-Pacific region.

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The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is a Department of Defense academic institute that addresses regional and global security issues. Military and civilian representatives, most from the U.S. and Asia-Pacific nations, participate in a comprehensive program of executive education, professional exchanges and outreach events, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The Center supports the U.S. Pacific Command by developing and sustaining relationships among security practitioners and national security establishments throughout the region. APCSS’ mission is to build capacities and communities of interest by educating, connecting, and empowering security practitioners to advance Asia-Pacific security. It is one of the Department of Defense’s five regional security studies centers.

Observer Research Foundation is known among policy makers, both in India and abroad, as a place pulsating with fresh promises and ideas. Ideas are what shape public policy think tanks. Ideas are an expression of unfettered curiosity and an urge to explore ways and means to find solutions to vexed issues that affect us. The Foundation’s activities can be neatly divided into two categories: Projects and Events. Both are an intrinsic part of the Foundation’s objective in shaping, influencing public opinion and creating viable, alternative policy options in areas as divergent as employment generation in backward districts and real-time strategies to counter Nuclear, Biological and Chemical threats.

Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency Vice Admiral William Landay (left) visited APCSS on Friday, February 3, 2012. After meeting with the center’s director Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Daniel Leaf (center), VADM Landay and his party joined center’s Dean of Academics Ambassador (Ret.) Lauren Moriarty (right) and 13 other members of the APCSS staff and faculty for a roundtable discussion.

According to Campbell, this chapter discusses local and transnational public health challenges that threaten regional health security. 

“Infectious diseases, natural and man-made disasters and environmental change negatively impact human populations worldwide, but they are especially challenging for vulnerable populations in many of the developing nations of Southeast Asia,” said Campbell. “These health security issues represent non-traditional regional and global security challenges.”

Through a series of case studies, the chapter highlights the requirement for multilateral collaboration and cross-sectoral interagency cooperation, to achieve sustainable health security.  Best practices discussed include government cooperation and transparency, and engaging local expertise in health security planning.

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This week 118 Fellows completed the one-week course. It is the largest class in APCSS history.  Of the 118 Fellows, 19 were international Fellows who came from as far away as Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan. The majority of Fellows were from U.S. Pacific Command and other on island major component commands as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, USAID, and U.S. Strategic Command.

The course provides an introduction to Asia-Pacific culture, politics, protocols and challenges, while addressing U.S. interests in the region. The next APOC will be held in Washington, D.C.in April.

For more information on this course please go to:  http://www.apcss.org/college/

Lasley, who calls Las Vegas, Nevada home, has been at the Center for almost two years and has over 16 years in the Army.  One of only eight junior enlisted (E6 and below) assigned to APCSS he competed against five other exemplary NCO’s representing the hundreds of eligible service members supporting the PACOM  headquarters.  As part of his recognition, Lasley will be awarded a Joint Service Achievement Medal. 

In supporting his nomination, his supervisor, APCSS administrative officer, Diana Kammunkun noted, “When SSG Lasley arrived at APCSS he hit the ground running, not only correcting deficiencies noted during a USPACOM IG visit, but improved upon them, turning them into  two model programs.  He is a talented, diverse NCO.”   Co-worker Ms. Kaelene Foo, executive secretary to the Director, adds, “Staff Sergeant Lasley is a hard working, dedicated NCO who has added value to the overall APCSS environment.” 

In another groundbreaking achievement for the Center, in October 2011, Lasley, as a junior NCO, was selected to co-host a briefing for the first-ever Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference, a component of the 14th Annual Chiefs of Defense Conference.  His efforts in polling and briefing 22 senior enlisted advisors from 17 countries were warmly received and highly praised by those senior leaders. In his off-duty time Lasley is completing his bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a 3.45 GPA and is deeply involved in local community activities. 

For Lasley the recognition and rewards are gratifying.  Likewise, he is, of course, proud and honored to represent the U.S. Army.  However, the most important reward in being selected is, “Not only is this a first for the Center, but my main motivation is to help bring the Center and its enlisted into the light, to let people know we’re here and what we do.”

Established in 1995, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is one of five Department of Defense academic institutes that address regional and global security issues. Military and civilian representatives, most from the U.S. and Asia-Pacific nations, participate in a comprehensive program of executive education, professional exchanges and outreach events, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The Center supports the U.S. Pacific Command by developing and sustaining relationships among security practitioners and national security establishments throughout the region.  APCSS’ mission is to build capacities and communities of interest by educating, connecting, and empowering security practitioners to advance Asia-Pacific security.  To date, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies has had representatives from 99 countries and four international organizations attend the courses at the Center for a total of 6,124 alumni.
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APCSS Director Air Force Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Dan Leaf congratulates Dr. Lori Forman with a new door sign, depicting her new title after receiving news that she earned her Ph.D. Jan. 20.

Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies professor Lori Forman officially earned her Ph.D. in Public Policy and was recognized by staff and faculty at the Center today.

A significant milestone, Forman’s achievement is particularly noteworthy because her dissertation was submitted in Japanese and approved by the prestigious Faculty of Law, Keio University, in Japan. Prior to her arrival at APCSS in the summer of 2011, Dr. Forman had been pursuing her Ph.D. and received a telephone call at 1 a.m. this morning advising her that her dissertation had been approved. 

Dr. Forman’s area of expertise as a professor at APCSS is Development Assistance, Public-Private Partnerships, Civil Society and Labor Mobility.

Before coming to APCSS, Dr. Forman was the first Vice President for Corporate Responsibility for a Dubai Holding company, Tatweer, based in Dubai. Before moving to Dubai, she worked for five years with Microsoft as the Regional Director of Community Affairs for Asia.  Based in Singapore, she oversaw the regional management of Microsoft’s competitive grants programs, disaster assistance, and software donations throughout Asia-Pacific. An important part of her work was the identification and development of partnerships with regional and international organizations.

Dr. Forman is a recognized leader in international financing and development assistance strategies. She is known for developing innovative public-private partnership solutions, especially in emerging markets, based on experience gained in corporate, government and non-profit sector leadership positions.

Dr. Forman is now one of 13 APCSS faculty members with a Ph.D.

To learn more about Dr. Forman, see her biography.

SEAPOC provides an overview of the Asia-Pacific region to senior military officers with respect for greater demands on their time and existing basis of knowledge. It also directly supports the U.S. Pacific Command by providing its staff and supporting components a compressed and comprehensive educational environment.

The Senior Executive Asia-Pacific Orientation Course (SEAPOC) builds upon existing Asia-Pacific experiences regarding trends and current issues shaping the Asia-Pacific security environment for senior military officers. It is a highly-intensive course with a mix of electives that focuses on specific issues as needed by senior officers.

According to Wieninger, “Successive governments in South Korea and the United States have struggled to craft policies which will lead to the denuclearization of North Korea and limit its provocative behavior, but have not succeeded to date.  In the face of two major provocations in 2010, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of deterrence vis-à-vis North Korea.

“This article argues that while provocations have and will occur, extended deterrence remains solidly in place.  South Korea and the United States can continue to pursue policies which reduce North Korea’s perceived security threat safe in the knowledge that the risk of large scale conflict on the Korean Peninsula is extremely low”

The Korea Review is a new journal published by the International Policies Studies Institute (IPSI).

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Daniel Leaf

HONOLULU –The Secretary of Defense has approved the selection of  retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Daniel Leaf  to be the director of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS)

A native of Shawano, Wis., Leaf leaves his position as vice president of full spectrum initiatives at Northrop Grumman Information Systems’ Defense Systems Division to join the Center.

Leaf retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2008 after more than 33 years of service. His last active duty assignment was as deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, from 2005 to 2008. Prior to that Leaf served as vice commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and as the Air Force director of Operational Requirements at the Pentagon.

Leaf has been a member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board since 2009, and currently serves on the Executive Board of the Fairfax County-Falls Church Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness.

During his Air Force career, Leaf commanded operations at the squadron, group and wing levels, and commanded the 31^st Air Expeditionary Wing during Operation Allied Force. He is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flight hours, including F-15 and F-16 combat missions. During the initial stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Leaf was the senior Air Component representative with U.S. Central Command’s Land Component.  His decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Air Medal.

Leaf earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned his commission as a distinguished graduate of the university’s Air Force ROTC program in 1974. He also graduated with distinction from the U. S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. and the Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.  He earned a master’s degree in military art and science from the Command and General Staff College where he also served as a member of the faculty instructing Research Methodology and core Air Force courses, and serving as a thesis chairman for several masters candidates. 

“It will be an honor to serve as director of APCSS,” said Leaf.  “I developed great respect for the mission and the people of the Center during my time at PACOM.  The focus on the Pacific region is growing; the APCSS team provides national security outreach and education that significantly enhances peace and stability in the region.”

Leaf replaces retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ed Smith who served as director from August 2005 until June 2011.  APCSS deputy director retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jim Hirai, has been serving as the acting director in the interim.

The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is a Department of Defense academic institute that addresses regional and global security issues. Military and civilian representatives, most from the U.S. and Asia-Pacific nations, participate in a comprehensive program of executive education, professional exchanges and outreach events, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The Center supports the U.S. Pacific Command by developing and sustaining relationships among security practitioners and national security establishments throughout the region.  APCSS’ mission is to build capacities and communities of interest by educating, connecting, and empowering security practitioners to advance Asia-Pacific security.  It is one of the Department of Defense’s five regional security studies centers.

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About the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies

 The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) is a U.S. Department of Defense academic institute that officially opened Sept. 4, 1995, in Honolulu, Hawaii. provides a forum where current and future military and civilian leaders from Asia-Pacific nations gather to enhance Asia-Pacific security cooperation through programs of executive education, professional exchange and policy-relevant research.

The Center supports the U.S. Pacific Command by developing and sustaining relationships among security practitioners and national security establishments throughout the region.  With a non-warfighting mission, the Center focuses on comprehensive, multilateral and multi-dimensional approaches to defining and addressing regional security issues and concerns.  The most beneficial result is building relationships of trust and confidence among future leaders and decision-makers within the region.

APCSS’ mission is “Building capacities and communities of interest by educating, connecting, and empowering security practitioners to advance Asia-Pacific security.” The APCSS provides a focal point where national officials, decision makers, and policy makers can gather to exchange ideas, explore pressing issues, and achieve a greater understanding of the challenges that shape the security environment of the Asia-Pacific region.  A primary focus is the increasingly complex interrelationships of the military, economic, political, and diplomatic policies relevant to regional security issues.

 The Center’s executive education includes resident courses and outreach events such as mini-courses, conferences and research projects.  They produce a dynamic, integrated program of study, workshops and research to support the Center’s mission.

Senior military and government decision-makers in security-related positions from throughout the region participate in APCSS courses.  These courses include a four-week Executive Course:  Advanced Security Cooperation; a one-week Senior Executive Course:  Transnational Security Cooperation; a one-week Asia-Pacific Orientation Course; a four-week Comprehensive Security Responses to Terrorism course; a four-week Comprehensive Crisis Management course; and a three-day Senior Asia-Pacific Orientation Course.

The article which appears in the December issue is an expanded version of an earlier article he did for APCSS.

In the article Fouse states “that Japan has placed new emphasis on developing its own capability to deter China in the “gray zones” of disputed territories and waters near its southern island chain. Consensus across the Japanese security community on this new strategic outlook has led to the abandonment of the Basic Defense Force concept and the adoption of a ‘Dynamic Defense Force’ concept as the underlying logic driving Japan’s defense policy.”

“Japan’s new policy of dynamic deterrence emphasizes increasing its visibility in the southern islands through improved intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR) capabilities as well as enhancing its capability to deal with contingencies arising in that area by developing a more mobile and flexible force structure that is better coordinated for a timely response. While domestic ideological battles continue to thwart the adoption of collective self-defense and other controversial revisions to Japan’s defense policy, Japan’s willingness to play a larger role in monitoring Chinese maritime expansion in the East China Sea has been welcomed by the United States,” says Fouse.

The article concludes that Japan’s “3/11″ disaster is unlikely to change its new defense policy and that the future of Japan’s defense transformation will most likely be guided by the outcome of Japan’s engagement with China.You can read the full article online at: http://www.kida.re.kr/data/kjda/04_David%20Fouse.pdf

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, the U.S. Pacific Command, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.