This is a iffy question, a hypothetical question. No one with a little commonsense would fail to see which side Singapore is leaning to in the US China rivalry. The solitary sanction against Russia spoke for itself and confirmed everything, and made it clear where Singapore stands.
For decades, Singapore's policy of choosing and being on the winning side has been very beneficial to Singapore's well being, politically and economically. The unipolar world of American hegemony makes every Asean state salivates at Singapore's choice. But with the emergence of a multipolar world, the decline of the American Empire imminent, and falling rapidly, Singapore must be very busy computing with all the fresh inputs, and planning to chart a different course. It would be deadly for Singapore to be on the losing side. The house of cards would just crumble and fall flat overnight.
In the interest of Singapore's viability as a nation state, given its extreme vulnerability to international events and changes, it would be suicidal for Singapore to be stoic, rigid, stubborn and inflexible when the balance of power in the world tips against the Americans. Singapore cannot be lying by its repeated messages about making policies on the grounds of its national interests. So, when the Global South takes a bigger role in international trade, the economics would demand that Singapore join the Global South and break away from its decades dependence on the American Empire. Of course this may not be so as actions and words may differ, and the personalities of the Singapore leadership could be the main factor in which camp Singapore would fall in.
Assuming, if the logic holds, and Singapore has to join the Global South, join the BRICS camp, what would happen to our expensive toys, the F35s, that are permanently based in the USA? Would they be swallowed by the Americans like they robbed the Russians and other third world nations of their funds and assets in the USA and western banks? Or would the Americans be so honourable to return the F35s to Singapore, to be flown back to Singapore? A more likely scenario, the Americans would make an offer that Singapore cannot refuse...US$1 to take over all the F35s and part company amicably.
7 comments:
If Singapore were to join BRICS it will get the message - You are either with us or against us.
And Red Dot will turn pale. No, no longer pink either. No way the USA will allow that to happen. The F35's, are they in Singapore now? Or still in the USA, under USA control? If Singapore joins BRICS those F35s will just end up like a puff of smoke.
What about our reserves parked in the West? No, no Singapore will never join BRICS. Too much is at stake. Then perhaps we can say that being an enemy of the USA is dangerous, being its friend is fatal.
Now, countries are finding it safer to be friends of Russia. Did they say Russia has no friends? The truth hurts!
Instead of joining BRICS, Singapore is getting deeper into its relationship with the US.
Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin today July 16 reaffirmed the two countries’ excellent defence relationship and mutually beneficial partnership during a meeting at the Pentagon.
Dr Radha Iyengar Plumb, the American defence department’s chief digital and artificial intelligence officer, said: “Singapore, a key technology innovator in the Asia-Pacific region, remains one of our most valued defence partners , and we look forward to further deepening this critical relationship.”
The next level of relationship, would it be like the Philippines or Japan or South Korea?
I guess it will be discussing NATO-ASEAN next. Another new bloc to counter China.
Dotard Trump chose his running mate and Shits Times must report that his origin or mixed as his wife is Indian. Must made a hue and cry to the world that must be Indian ah?
Why not their oboriginal Indians which are rightfully the owners of their Land?
So the another daft Whites are going to be colonised by the Indians ah?
Karmas indeed
Must herald to the World that Indians be the Masters of the Universe ah?
Wow Indian curry very powerful ah?
Tummy Sick another Indian Chief investing another 8 billions in India ah?
Ahem throwing monies into the Black Hole of Calcutta?
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