6 silinoy, Kole DLS oe ~ Developing defence policy is a complex task. Planning must not only ensure the security and stability of the nation against more environment. immediate challenges. It must seek to promote a favourable strategic It must guard against the possibility, however remote, that a more serious threat to the nation and its interests may arise at some point in the future. That challenge today is particularly demanding. The spectrum of potential defence operations is broad. Commitments to humanitarian and disaster relief, to stability operations and responding to terrorism and other transnational criminal activities are current priorities. More traditional scenarios involving the direct use of military force cannot be ruled out. For all nations, emerging concerns about cyber warfare and the possible proliferation of weapons of mass destruction add a significant new dimension. Importantly, the response to many of these challenges extends well beyond Defence’s own capabilities. A whole-of-government response marshalling a wide range of national resources may be required. Stability operations will not be successful without the aid and reconstruction support necessary to build the lasting conditions for peace. Close cooperation with security partners will frequently be essential to the speed and robustness of a response. To achieve those objectives, a comprehensive approach to the development and employment of the nation’s armed forces is required. Capability planning must seek to provide the flexibility to respond to that diverse range of challenges. Force preparedness must ensure the right people and equipment can be deployed at short notice. Operational effectiveness depends upon having the shared doctrine and the command and control systems to integrate all aspects of the response. The new Defence White Paper, Defending the Nation’s Sovereignty : Expanding Roles in Wider Horizons, provides the essential building blocks. It sets out clear priorities for responding to the more Haji Awang Saifulbahri bin Haji Awang Mansor immediate challenges while identifying important areas in which the armed forces will need to be developed in the longer term. The balance that it establishes between current preparedness and future development is important, matching available resources to priority defence needs. Permanent Secretary The White Paper is also notable in that it is not simply content to provide policy solutions to immediate PIKB, SMB, BSc (Hons), MSc (Defence Policy & Development) Ministry of Defence planning challenges. It gives considerable attention to how Defence’s planning processes can be further developed and the types of studies that need to be undertaken to support even more comprehensive and informed decision-making. Linking that depth of analysis with clear policy direction will ensure the most efficient use of national resources and maximise the defence contribution to the nation’s security and well-being. Implementing the Defence White Paper will require a focused and sustained commitment from all areas of the Ministry as well as the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The extent and precision of its guidance gives confidence, however, that its objectives can be achieved and the nation’s security and its contribution to that of the wider region will be significantly strengthened. Wabilahitaufiq Walhidayah Was’salamualaikum Warahmatulahhi’ Wabarkatuh