28th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Countering Foreign Interference and Economic Coercion: The Experience of the Indo-Pacific

Hon. Robert Barbers highlighted the importance of creating a secure present while strategically preparing for an uncertain future. He introduced the concept of “antifragility” — thriving in adversity, not just surviving. This mindset is necessary for countries in the Indo-Pacific, especially in the face of growing geopolitical tensions. Barbers explained that countries use both “soft power” (diplomacy, partnerships, cooperation) and “hard power” (covert interference, cyber operations, and military aggression) to advance national interests. He sounded the alarm on China’s growing footprint in the region, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, where it uses a strategy of “public opinion warfare,”

“psychological warfare,” and “legal warfare.” These tactics aim to justify aggression while manipulating narratives to weaken opposition. The Philippines faces constant challenges from China’s territorial claims and disinformation campaigns.

Several countries in Southeast Asia, like Singapore and Thailand, have enacted laws to counter foreign interference, including laws that regulate foreign activities and monitor financial transactions. Barbers proposed that the Philippines also needs to implement stronger countermeasures to safeguard national security. Hon. Barbers emphasizes the importance of three key elements to effectively address foreign interference: Sensemaking (understanding complex and unpredictable environments through data-driven research and analysis), Strategic Foresight (analyzing potential future developments and their implications on policy making), and Anticipatory Governance (embedding foresight into governance processes to systematically explore multiple future scenarios).