Abstract

Many high impact events affecting the lives of ordinary people occurred in 2009, highlighting the growing list of Non-Traditional Security (NTS) threats facing the region today. These included an unspooling global economy; ongoing political turmoil in China, Thailand and Myanmar; countless natural disasters, such as droughts, floods, earthquakes and storms, for example; as well as communicable diseases — including a novel strain of the influenza virus — spreading widely. These are complex times and they are changing fast. For this Year in Review, we bring you highlights of major NTS events that have affected states and societies in Southeast Asia, the current policy challenges and possible ways ahead.