The Maldives : lessons for small states in a changing world

The Maldives is facing both internal political turmoil and external challenges from the changing geopolitical landscape in the Indian Ocean. There are lessons here for small states seeking to protect their sovereignty

Forging Cohesive Societies – Singapore’s Multiracialism : A Matter of Identity

Singapore’s commitment to multiracialism and inter-faith harmony is not just about keeping the peace but about its identity as a nation. It has achieved much over the last 50 years but serious challenges remain. The speed in which fake news and hate speech are spread online can easily create enmity among the races and religious groups. Much depends on whether Singaporeans are merely tolerant of each other or have developed deep trust and understanding

COVID-19 pandemic : lessons from Lee Kuan Yew

Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew faced many crises in his lifetime, regional and global. Were he alive, he would have a lot to say about the present COVID-19 pandemic and how to deal with it. What lessons can Singapore and the rest of the world learn from his experience?Published versio

A Divided America: Good or Bad for the World?

The US presidential election has shown how divided the country is. But a great power needs to be strong at home with the people and their leaders sharing a common vision of its place in the world. America needs to heal its internal divisions. For its friends abroad, a strong and stable US is good for the rest of the world

The Rise of Trump and Its Global Implications - America At War With Itself

The running war of words between the White House and the mainstream media is bad news for the fight against fake new. It will lead to an even more divided America and will have consequences for the rest of the world

China’s Rise: Role of Two Defining Generations

The Long March generation of revolutionary leaders is widely acknowledged as the founding heroes of modern China. But there is another generation ̶ the Cultural Revolution survivors ̶ whose experience during that tumultuous period shaped them in a similar way and who are now leading the country

Democracy in Crisis : It’s the next disruption

The established democracies like Britain, France and the US are facing unprecedented challenges, with their political leadership unable to manage the deep divisions among their peoples. These societies are undergoing fundamental changes caused by the digital revolution. Just as many traditional businesses have been upended as a result, so too will politics be disrupted. New norms and institutions will emerge in a difficult and divisive transition

The media: force of cohesion or division?

Public trust in media is declining worldwide. Yet, there has never been a more critical need for trusted media amidst the proliferation of fake news and disinformation. What can be done to regain trust so that media can play its role in strengthening social cohesion instead of promoting further division?Published versio

The Disruptive Search for Identity

The world is entering a new period of political uncertainty amid a popular backlash against globalisation. People feel dislocated in their own societies and want to reclaim their identity. This search for identity is what causes many conflicts and will make for a more disruptive future

Post-Lee Kuan Yew World : Is His Strategic Vision Still Relevant?

Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew shaped the country’s foreign policy since its independence in 1965. But the world has changed much with the shifting geopolitical balance of power and disruptions caused by digital technology. Are Lee’s thinking and strategic vision still relevant in this new world