This case study examines the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) – long regarded as a model of international cooperation – and its gradual transformation into a geopolitical instrument amid changing regional, environmental, and security dynamics in South Asia. Signed in 1960 under the auspices of the World Bank, the IWT divided the six rivers of the Indus Basin between India and Pakistan and established mechanisms for data sharing, technical collaboration and dispute resolution. For over six decades, it endured wars, political crises and regime changes, earning the reputation of a rare “success story” in water diplomacy. However, as climate change, population growth and recurring cross-border terrorism altered regional realities, the treaty’s framework began to strain. India’s growing developmental needs and Pakistan’s dependence on the Indus for agriculture have collided with shifting political agendas. India’s notices for modification of the treaty in 2023 and 2024, followed by the suspension of the IWT in April 2025 after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, marked a watershed moment in South Asian hydro-politics. The case study discusses whether transboundary water treaties, originally designed for cooperation, can remain effective in an era when water has become securitised, politicised, and climate stressed.

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/314893

Kazakhstan’s electoral system has seen many developments since 2021 aimed at increasing democracy and decentralising policymaking. Despite these structural developments, barriers remain for electoral participation of independent candidates. Election results of 2022 also saw most of the parliamentary seats returning to incumbents. While voter turnout increased in 2022 compared to previous elections, engagement of voters remained low. Drawing insights from experts, interview participants, and credible secondary sources, the case study highlights factors such as institutional reforms for increased democracy, low voting turnout, and barriers to citizen participation. This case study spotlights a particular suburb of Astana, Koyandy, where a novel case of judicial remedy was documented, resulting in a repeat election.

Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy – Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy Case Study Series

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/314892

Singapore faced $1.1 billion in losses from scams in 2024. The country’s digital sophistication, while enabling efficiency and convenience, also created unique vulnerabilities to exploitation. Authorities responded to scams with a combination of public education campaigns, enhanced detection tools and banking protocols and a flexible legal framework. Platforms such as ScamShield, targeted workshops and real-time simulations helped educate the public, while machine learning and regulatory measures created choke points for scam detection. Despite these efforts, phishing, investment, e-commerce and self-effected scams in particular continued to rise. Scammers adapted quickly to efforts to kill their schemes, and Singapore had to continually innovate its defensive strategies.

Link to PDF: https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/docs/default-source/case-studies/protecting_a_nation_under_digital_siege_final.pdf?sfvrsn=6322070a_1

Recently granted expanded powers by Parliament, Nepal's primary anti-corruption agency, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is at a critical juncture. The Chief Commissioner has tasked Mr. Ghanshyam Pun, a newly appointed Secretary of the CIAA, with developing a strategy to elevate the national discussion on anti-corruption and strengthen the CIAA's central role. The CIAA operates within a challenging environment marked by profound political change, institutionalised corruption, and negative public perception stemming from its chequered leadership history. Mr. Pun is considering proposing a shift from a purely punitive approach to a more holistic “National Integrity System”.

The central dilemma for students is to evaluate Nepal's complex anti-corruption ecosystem and recommend how the CIAA can best leverage its new powers. This involves navigating political interference, inter-agency coordination challenges, and a constrained civil society to rebuild public trust and effectively combat endemic corruption. The case is suitable for discussions on public sector management, anti-corruption policy, institutional reform, and governance in transitioning democracies.

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/313998

Climate change is as much an environmental problem as it is a matter of public policy because it affects people’s lives and is inherently complex in nature. This case study seeks to understand the policy implications of climate change and discuss the role of climate resilient infrastructure as a policy solution for climate change adaptation. We will also explore the ways in which climate resilient infrastructure can complement urban planning and land-use policy objectives. This case study also examines key policy concepts such as trade-offs and hyperbolic discounting and how these relate to climate change mitigation efforts. These dynamics raise the question of who should pay for long-term climate resilient infrastructure.

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/312551