The United States and Singapore have forged a strong bond of cooperation over the last 55 years. These partnerships have come in many forms, such as economic, defence and security agreements, forming people-to-people ties that bring prosperity and stability to both countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Regarding defence and security, the US provides Singapore with defence technology and military training. Meanwhile, Singapore has become a key partner due to its geostrategic position at the centre of the Indo-Pacific. Both countries have signed numerous agreements to strengthen cooperation in various facets of security relations over the years, including law enforcement and counter-terrorism.
The recent move of the US withdrawing from Afghanistan has highlighted the cooperation between both countries once again. When Vice-President Kamala Harris met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during her visit to Singapore in August 2021, Singapore offered military planes to help with the evacuation efforts.
Entering the 21st century, how has this defence and security partnership been beneficial for both countries? And what does the future hold for the security sector as technology develops at a rapid speed?
On 29 July 2021, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and the US Embassy held an event titled "US-Singapore Relations at 55: Our Shared Past and Future – Security Ties". Moderated by Mr. Drew Thompson, Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, it featured four esteemed guests; Mr Nicholas Fang, Director of Security and Global Affairs, Singapore Institute of International Affairs, Ms Dawn Barriteau, Regional Attaché, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Embassy Singapore, CAPT Ray Owens, Defense, and Naval Attaché, U.S. Embassy Singapore, and COL Sebastian Chai, Director (International), Defence Policy Office, Ministry of Defence, Singapore.
Military and defence cooperation
"Defence ties between both countries started to take off in the 1990s, when former US Vice President Quayle and Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew signed a memorandum. It enabled US armed forces to utilise our facility as a means of support or transit," remarked COL Chai. In 2019, the memorandum was extended for another 15 years. Additionally, Singapore has been recognised as a major security partner since 2005.
The memorandum enabled CAPT Owens to step into Singapore for the first time in 2000. "I was on a refuelling stop of the [Lockheed] P-3 Orion. Then, I'm fortunate enough to take part in the US-Singapore Carat Exercise, where I was introduced to Singapore delicacies," he remarked. In the two decades since, he has witnessed Singapore's assistance in logistical needs, including hosting the USS Kitty Hawk for a port call or supporting visiting detachments of military planes and ships.
The training and educational exercises are a two-way street. COL Chai reminisced about his opportunity, "In 2017, I attended the Air Command and Staff College in Alabama. There, I learned about the SOP, culture, and how the US military thinks." Such exchanges have proven to be beneficial. One instance was the search and rescue efforts of the Malaysian Airlines MH370. "Although the crews had never worked together previously, the institutional relationships between our forces enabled smooth coordination and the operation to be conducted in a safe and effective manner."
Ultimately, this defence cooperation is a key pillar of Singapore's overall bilateral relations with the US, based on the shared belief that the US presence in the region has been vital for peace, stability, and prosperity
Non-military cooperation
Following a discussion with then US President Obama and Prime Minister Lee in 2013 regarding non-military security cooperation, both governments agreed on a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement signed in the fall of 2014. "The CMAA allows Homeland security investigations, US Customs, border protection, and Singapore Customs to share customs information without the need to submit a formal legal request. This enables law enforcement to act swiftly to prevent the illegal flow of contraband that pose threats to both our countries’ national security and financial infrastructure," explained Ms Barriteau.
With the agreement in place, law enforcement and agencies from both countries have successfully worked together to prevent financial fraud scams and fraudulent e-commerce sites. They also arrest child sexual abusers and seize counterfeit personal protective equipment, pharmaceutical therapies, and wildlife trafficking.
"25% of the world's wildlife is trafficked through Southeast Asia, and that includes Singapore. The bulk of it comes through Singapore because of its large transhipment port," said Ms Barriteau. She added that in 2019 the cooperation of both countries resulted in the seizing of nine tons of ivory that terrorist organisations often use to fund their illicit activities.
What the future holds
In today's digital world, cyber threats are on the rise, and it keeps on evolving. Therefore, having strong cybersecurity and defence is key to ensure government and other critical infrastructures are secure from malicious actors. Cooperation between countries requires a high degree of trust, and is therefore rare. However, Mr. Fang noted that towards the end of President Obama's administration, the US and Singapore agreed to a partnership in cyberspace.
"In the cybersecurity space, you do not know who is your ally and your enemy. Oftentimes, attacks are difficult to trace and attribute. So, having that agreement in 2016 was quite significant." He added that there are still many unknowns within the tech sphere, whether robotics, artificial intelligence, or even cryptocurrency. "It is not rare that cryptocurrency is used for money laundering or terrorism financing. So, this is one collaboration potential."
Ms Barriteau chimed in, "Speaking of cryptocurrency, US law enforcement agencies have collaborated and do training with Singapore law enforcement agencies. There are still many aspects that we do not know about how cryptocurrency and the dark web works. Therefore, collaboration and information sharing remain vital."
Ultimately, the panel agreed that the ongoing relations between the US and Singapore have been beneficial for both countries and the Asia Pacific region. With new cyber threats and technologies emerging, a continuing relationship is necessary to address the new landscape, securing crucial infrastructure while leveraging the benefits these technologies have to offer.
(Photo credit: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Johans Chavarro, U.S. Navy/Released)