Operation inherent resolve: understanding Singapore's participation in multilateral overseas operations

• Main Authors: Li, Ian Huiyuan, Lim, Thomas
• Other Authors: S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
• Format: Commentary
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Social sciences::Military and naval science::Strategy; Social sciences::Political science::Political institutions::Asia::Singapore; Southeast Asia and ASEAN; Singapore and Homeland Security
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/165936
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The Singapore Armed Forces’ involvement in Operation Inherent Resolve, a US-led multinational coalition to combat Islamist extremism, back in 2014 represented a significant commitment for a small state like Singapore. IAN LI and THOMAS LIM observe that despite the potential risks of involvement and questions over its relevance to Singapore’s interests, participation in the coalition was ultimately motivated by three overarching considerations — a greater appreciation of the impact of transnational threats, the importance of the rules-based international order to Singapore, and the potential operational benefits for its armed forces.