#84- Kishore Mahbubani: How The Future Of Global Order Will Look Like

Geopolitical competition between the United States and China is inevitable, driven by a historical pattern where established powers reflexively suppress emerging rivals. Small states like Singapore must navigate this "locked-in" contest by avoiding emotional reactions and leveraging regional stability mechanisms like ASEAN. While multilateral institutions like the United Nations face structural decline due to great power interference, they remain vital for protecting the sovereignty of smaller nations. The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating the dangers of misreading civilizational logic and the necessity of rational, long-term diplomacy. Ultimately, Singapore’s success stems from the strategic foresight of its founding leaders, who prioritized pragmatism and international law. To survive the coming era of turbulence, small nations must maintain neutrality, foster regional cooperation, and resist the temptation to take sides in great power rivalries.