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Webinars and Talks Issue no. 2 | 2022

JPAS Lecture Series: Professor Dr Simon Reich
(Rutgers University)

By AP Dr Helena Varkkey
On the 3rd of June, 2022, the Department of International
and Strategic Studies, together with the International
Relations Society of Universiti Malaya (IRSOC), organized
the fourth edition of the JPAS Lecture Series which
featured Professor Dr Simon Reich from Rutgers University,
New Jersey. The lecture was held online via Zoom and has
approximately 100 attendees.

Professor Reich shared with us the discussion from his
new book, "Across Time, Type and Space: US Grand
Strategy in Comparative Perspective.” Focusing on the
exceptionality of Grand Strategy, Professor Reich begins
his lecture by debunking the ever-American-centric idea of
Grand Strategy in a theoretical, methodological, and between different countries for different positions of
empirical manner. power. He further noted that under this new framework
(using the USA as an example), three dimensions could be
Instead, he proposed a solution to addressing the utilized to compare grand strategies between countries.
shortcomings of the American-centric approach to Grand The three dimensions were attributes, similarities and
Strategy by constructing a new framework. Professor differences in applying grand strategies and the aspects
Reich deemed this as an increment to the field of grand involving grand strategies executed vis-a-vis the United
strategy since this could provide a systematic comparison States when interacting in the Indo-Pacific region.

A New EU For A New World: Navigating

Through Troubled Waters

On the 8th of April 2022, the Department of International By Dr Khoo Ying Hooi
and Strategic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
University of Malaya, together with the Delegation of the
European Union to Malaysia and International Relations
Society of University of Malaya (IRSOC), organized the first
hybrid lecture series titled “A New EU For A New World:
Navigating Through Troubled Waters. ”

The talk given by the Ambassador of the European Union
(EU) to Malaysia, His Excellency Michalis Rokas was
attended by a total of 155 participants virtually as well as
physically. The event was held in Dewan Kuliah B as well
as online on the Zoom platform.
Michalis Rokas explained the challenges faced by the EU,
The lecture series began with welcoming remarks from the especially its approaches in balancing the two
Vice-Chancellor of Global Engagement, Universiti Malaya, heavyweights of the world - the United States of America
Professor Dr Yong Zulina Zuhairi. This was followed by the andChina. The lecture then proceeded with a question
welcoming remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and answer session with the participants. THe questions
and Social Sciences, Professor Dr Danny Wong Tze Ken. directed to HE Michalis Rokas, included comments on the
HE Michalis Rokas opened his lecture by reciprocating the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, the EU’s trade relationships with
welcome remarks and first introducing the purpose and China and the EU’s agenda on expanding its
mission of the Delegation of the European Union to memberships. THe event ended with a photo session
Malaysia, followed by illustrating the EU’s relationship with together with the Ambassador and participants off and
Malaysia, both from an empirical and historical manner. HE online.
9 | Pulse @ FASS