Instability in Syria could have spillover effect in Singapore and region: ISD

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong wish all Christians a Merry Christmas. In a social media post, President Tharman says this is a season of understanding and togetherness for all Singaporeans. He also says the world can never be resigned to inhumane aggression against peoples and deep divisions within societies. His remarks come amid a warning that the instability in Syria could have a spillover effect on terrorism in Singapore and the region. Singapore's Internal Security Department says terror groups could exploit ideological and operational links to rebuild and regroup. Dr Noor Huda Ismail, Visiting Fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies at NTU, discusses the ideological links between Syrian terrorists and the Southeast Asian region.