Is Singapore losing the world we relied on? An intelligence chief’s candid take
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If we had just met over coffee, what would you tell me to pay attention to about the world right now? That is essentially what I asked Henry Wilkinson, chief intelligence officer at Dragonfly Intelligence from Dow Jones when he joined me on Lens on Singapore, a video podcast from The Business Times. He has spent two decades reading danger signals for governments and major corporations. He is not a doomsayer. But he is not reassuring either, and that combination is exactly what made this conversation worth having.
Because the rules-based global order that Singapore built its prosperity on is quietly fraying at the edges. I wanted to sit with someone who sees this for a living and ask him plainly: how worried should we actually be?
Why listen
- Why Singapore’s success makes it a more attractive target, not a safer one The concentration of fintech, communications and commercial activity here means Singapore has a richer target surface than most places in the region. Wilkinson explains what that means in practice and why our risk governance is one of the few things working in our favour.
- What a multi-sphere world actually means Countries are simultaneously trading partners, competitors and adversaries depending on the domain. Wilkinson unpacks why that ambiguity makes this moment harder to navigate than any simple power-bloc framework can capture.
- Whether Singapore’s neutrality between the US and China is still a viable position Wilkinson’s answer is nuanced and worth hearing in full, particularly given what is happening to US alliance commitments globally right now.
- Whether Taiwan should be more worried right now than usual Wilkinson is careful here, but his assessment of where Chinese ambitions could go as US commitment to the region becomes less predictable is one of the more thought-provoking parts of our conversation.
I found this conversation clarifying. I think you will too. Watch now.
Discover more episodes at bt.sg/podcasts. Got feedback? Email us at btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.
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Written and presented by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)
With Henry Wilkinson, chief intelligence officer, Dragonfly Intelligence from Dow Jones
Executive producer: Claressa Monteiro
Producer: Nicole Teo
Coordinating producer: Chai Pei Chieh
Video production: Studio +65
A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.
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