About

Asia's increasing importance in global politics, security and economy has a profound influence on European affairs. The Asia Security Studies Programme at FOI has analysed pressing security issues in Asia since the end of the 1990s. The research programme strikes a balance between issues directly affecting Swedish foreign and defence policy and topics with wider regional and global implications. The main sponsor of the Programme is the Swedish Ministry of Defence. Other ministries and agencies in Sweden and abroad also seek advice from the Asia Security Studies Programme.

Studies & Issues

The multi-faceted and complex developments in Asia's countries and regions create important possibilities, but also give rise to difficult challenges and threats. Tensions are especially obvious in South Asia, East Asia and the Persian Gulf region. Nuclear arms proliferation is one of many important issues in this part of the world.

Fundamentalism and political instability lead to acts of terrorism, insurgencies and civil wars. Ever since the 9/11 attacks, the world's attention has been on Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Middle East. This is where historically and politically motivated violence have linked up with global Islamic terrorism.

The Asia Security Studies Programme pursues studies in a range of fields within the core geographical focus on East Asia, South Asia and the Persian Gulf. The research programme has the following themes:

• Nuclear policy and non-proliferation issues
• Development of armed forces in a strategic perspective
• Defence and foreign policy
• Terrorism and activities of non-state groups
• Regional conflicts
• Relations between external powers and interference
• Economics
• Energy

A number of experts at FOI work directly with the Programme, while other researchers are affiliated and collaborate on a temporary basis.  The Programme cooperates with other research institutes in Sweden and abroad on a regular basis.

Cooperation with external partners

The Programme collaborates extensively with the Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, as well as with individual researchers from Pakistan, China, the United States, Taiwan, the UK, India and Sweden.

The Programme seeks a wider audience through yearly conferences. In 2008 the conference covered Pakistan and Afghanistan and resulted in the report Pakistan - Consequences of Deteriorating Security in Afghanistan.

The theme of the 2007 conference was "Consequences of Military Actions Against Iran". A report on this theme can be found here.