Dr Rahman Yaacob

Research Fellow, Southeast Asia Program
Areas of expertise

Southeast Asian defence and security

Dr Rahman Yaacob
Biography
Publications
News and media

Dr Abdul Rahman Yaacob is a Research Fellow in the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute. His research interests include Southeast Asia’s defence and security issues and the region’s relations with major powers.

Before joining the Lowy Institute, Rahman completed a PhD at the National Security College, Australian National University. His dissertation examined Singapore’s defence policy and analysed the broader strategic and security issues relating to ASEAN during the Cold War. During his PhD program and with two other project members, Rahman was a lead investigator on a project funded by a grant from the Australian Army Research Centre. The project focused on understanding Southeast Asian security concerns and explored the potential areas for closer defence cooperation between Australia and its northern neighbours. He was also an Academic Staff member and lectured in the ASEAN-Australia Defence Postgraduate Scholarship Program at the Strategic & Defence Studies Centre, ANU. From 2020 to 2023, he was a Teaching Fellow at the Australian Command and Staff Course, Australian War College.

Before commencing his PhD program, Rahman served nearly 18 years with the Government of Singapore. He held various command and staff postings in security-related areas and received several awards, including Ministerial Awards for Operational Excellence and a Commendation for the Rejection of Bribe.

The Translator: “ASEAN Centrality”
The Translator: “ASEAN Centrality”
A new series in which experts explain the sometimes baffling jargon of international affairs.
Vietnam’s flexible nonalignment
Commentary
Vietnam’s flexible nonalignment
Originally published in East Asia Forum 
Southeast Asia's preferred military exercise partner
Southeast Asia's preferred military exercise partner
The US is at the top of the list for both the quantity and quality of its military exercises. Here's why.
ASEAN and the arc of uncertainties
ASEAN and the arc of uncertainties
Australia will next month host a summit of Southeast Asia’s leaders. What will drive the agenda? And importantly, what won’t?
The Myanmar Junta: Live by the Gun, Die by the Gun?
Commentary
The Myanmar Junta: Live by the Gun, Die by the Gun?
Originally published on The Diplomat
Myanmar: The last days of the junta?
Myanmar: The last days of the junta?
The rebels appear to hold all the initiative on the battlefield.
Is China Replacing the US as Thailand's Main Security Partner?
Commentary
Is China Replacing the US as Thailand's Main Security Partner?
Originally posted in The Diplomat
Top