The end of the cold war brought with it aspirations of a more peaceful world and then much touted "peace dividends". Almost twenty years on, the world remains a dangerous place and the so-called peace dividends are nowhere to be seen. The only discernable change is the issues which now shaped global security. Superpower rivalry is now replaced by asymmetrical warfare and the rise of non state players such as terrorist organisations and criminal groups. Granted countries continue to engage in the game of geopolitics and security but this is now often done in the background rather than at the forefront of global politics. The situation is reflected also in the changing face of maritime security, which was shaped and continues to be shaped by global events. Understanding these developments is crucial to the maritime security of any country especially a country with a vast maritime domain between the Indo-Pacific reaches like Malaysia. MSD's mission is to contribute towards enhancing Malaysia's maritime security through policy research on traditional and non-traditional security issues and providing timely inputs into defence policy development.
MSD's research thrusts include the following areas:
- Regional Geopolitical Maritime Security Seascape
- Traditional and Non Traditional Maritime Security
- International Aeronautical & Maritime Search and Rescue
- Disaster Relief from the Sea
- United Nations Peacekeeping Operation (UNPKO)