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World: RSIS Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Year in Review 2016

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Source: Nanyang Technological Univ.
Country: Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, World

An Overview of Non-Traditional Security

Vishalini Chandara Sagar The study of Non-Traditional Security (NTS) emerged during the post-Cold War period due to significant shifts in the way we understand global security. As risks of traditional inter-state wars and conflicts decline, new security challenges, which are typically non-military in nature, have transpired from transnational threats.

Studies have shown that NTS crises have resulted in more deaths and have had a substantially larger impact on people over time than conventional military threats.

Often, overcoming these NTS crises are more challenging than preventing traditional military aggression.

NTS challenges are mainly people-centred issues, which threaten the survival and well-being of individuals and states and can be broadly categorised into the following key areas – economic security threats; food security threats; health security threats; environmental security threats; community security threats; political security threats; and personal security threats. These arise from sources such as climate change, resource scarcity, infectious diseases, natural disasters, irregular migration, food shortages, people smuggling, drug trafficking and transnational crime. It is the state's responsibility to protect its citizens' from such threats. If governments fail to do so, they lose international standing and credibility.

States are aware that the transnational nature of NTS crises defies conventional unilateral solutions. They require comprehensive political, economic and social responses. Such responses can only be initiated with significant cooperation between governments to formulate policies at a regional and international level to overcome NTS challenges.

Many governments in the Asia-Pacific region are not sufficiently prepared to respond due to the scale, magnitude and complexity of NTS crises. As a result, when such crises occur, the devastation surpasses national boundaries and impacts states and societies further afield. For instance, the spread of Zika virus in the region, human trafficking across Southeast Asian borders, forced migration in Myanmar, massive typhoons and storms that hit the Philippines and surrounding countries, flooding of the Mekong River and recurring transboundary haze pollution from agricultural practices in Indonesia have had significant consequences in terms of human security, tourism and business, and economic development. Viewing these challenges through a NTS lens allows for a more multi-dimensional approach to be taken to analyse the situation and to formulate solutions.

In conclusion, it is crucial to note that to sufficiently understand NTS challenges, condense and resolve them, solutions need to be people-centric, multilateral and holistic.


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