Simon Tay

THE WRITER IS CHAIRMAN OF THE SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (SIIA). THE SIIA ORGANISES THE ASEAN THINK TANK SUMMIT WITH A NETWORK OF POLICY INSTITUTES AND THE SUPPORT OF THE ASEAN SECRETARIAT.

A residential building hit by an air strike in Teheran. Unless Iran collapses, we must foresee that an injured state will renew every effort to rebuild and strike back, says the writer.
THE POLITICS THAT MATTER

The fog of the Iran war

For Asian businesses, the sharp pain from higher energy prices cannot be avoided, but scarring and worse trauma can be prevented

With its clear win, the conservative Bhumjaithai party led by Anutin Charnvirakul (centre) is well-placed to form a government with a comfortable majority. 
POLITICS THAT MATTER

Moving Thailand forward: Between stability and reform

After 3 prime ministers and past incidents of street protests and violence, the economy – stuck at a 1-2% growth rate – seems to be on the rebound

For Asia, rather than fearing and loathing Trump 2.0, the better course will be to adapt and engage pragmatically on new terms.
NEW GLOBAL ORDER

Revolutionary America and ‘Asia Alone’

There is a sense that the old and reliable US is gone. But is Asia ready to go solo?

Minus-two strategies resist a binary choice between the US and China, and emphasise multipolarity and the agency of even small states, such as Singapore..
POLITICS THAT MATTER

New initiatives for a ‘minus-two’ world

The mindset to take initiative and forge new paths with rules for cooperation is part of Singapore’s DNA

Sino-American tensions and US President Donald Trump’s actions are critically important, yet not everything should hinge on the US and China.
POLITICS THAT MATTER

A long year that is not over

Growth has been resilient and fundamentals remain positive, but problems have grown

During his Asia tour, Trump hogged the headlines from that first jig when he arrived at Kuala Lumpur airport. When Trump chooses to turn up, it is his agenda for America that is not only first but perhaps the only item on the agenda.
POLITICS THAT MATTER

Asean in a ‘Minus One’ world

When America First means the US chooses when to show up, the region must find its way to live and prosper

As nations react to a multipolar and shifting world, Asean must step up to differentiate itself and deliver benefits to its members, says the writer.

Asean centrality is more than its summit guest list

Amid global turmoil, the bloc’s real work continues for regional integration and peace

PAP largely avoided speechifying, and canvassed broader issues at rallies and TV, mainly by PM Wong speaking at centralised, national platforms.
THE POLITICS THAT MATTERS TO BUSINESS

Not insular politics but glocal

The global turmoil and connections to local and national issues in Singapore are standout factors that made a difference in the general elections

Cargo ships at Bangkok Port in Thailand. While Asean economies are presently geared towards the US and global markets, the bloc and most of Asia are connected by free trade agreements.
THE POLITICS THAT MATTERS TO BUSINESS

Trump tariffs and Asean’s Plan B

THE world is reeling from the tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on Apr 2. What was dubbed “Liberation Day” sent markets down markedly, not least in the US itself. Asia and Singapore are n...

The government has stepped in with a raft of measures to revitalise the stock market.
THE POLITICS THAT MATTERS TO BUSINESS

Why invest in Singapore

There are investments of many different kinds that show confidence in the Republic, and the stakes taken are deliberate, long-term and well-funded