Dealing With An Ambiguos World

by Bilahari Kausikan

One of Singapore's top diplomats, Bilahari Kausikan was the Institute of Policy Studies' (IPS) 2015/16 S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore. This book contains edited versions of the five public IPS-Nathan Lectures he gave between January and May 2016, and highlights of his dialogue with the audience.Kausikan gives a frank and dispassionate assessment of the international environment in the post-Cold War era and the geopolitical uncertainties that have emerged. In particular, he analyses the nature of US-China relations, the broad underlying factors in the South China Sea disputes and ASEAN's attempts to maintain order, and the role that human rights and democracy have played in international relations. He concludes by suggesting what Singapore needs to do to cope with the complexities that lie ahead, in this age without definition.The IPS-Nathan Lectures series was launched in 2014 as part of the S R Nathan Fellowship for the Study of Singapore. The S R Nathan Fellow, who is appointed annually, delivers between four and six lectures each year to advance public understanding and discussion of issues of critical national interest.

Genres: International Relations, Nonfiction, Politics

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2016

Reviews

[NinaCD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bilahari is a foreign policy genius. I love how his mind works. He’s particularly good at outlining the challenges posed to middle powers caught between the great powers with competing interests.

[Joel Gn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A candid and prescient commentary of Singapore's geopolitical situation. Highly recommended for students and laypeople interested in the country's prospects within the ever-evolving global landscape.

[Harry Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Mr Kausikan's writing because they often challenges my understanding. He is not afraid to be controversial. The most important lessons are in uncomfortable truths.

[Corinna]

Did not finish this before the library book was due. The essays in here take a bit to digest!

[Sivasothi N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bilahari Kausikan is a second generation Ministry of Foreign Affairs veteran who shared his perspectives of the new tension which Singapore will have to navigate after the Cold War. ASEAN forms a critical element and the new generations will have to balance and adapt to domestic needs against new ideas as will the civil service.

He’s an evangelist of the realpolitik which has guided this tiny city state with the support of the majority all these years. In less tumultuous times, the strategies and skills which helped us should be mainstream knowledge, and not restricted to a minority. This edited collection of his speeches from 2016 are an avenue.

[mantareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lucid, enjoyable, and persuasive read. Bilahari writes sumptuously. It's a pity few in Singapore write in the sort of older, British(?), dry register he does.

I enjoyed this compilation of lectures a lot more than his "Singapore Is Not an Island" book, in part because it is better edited and does not read so repetitively.

[shin · Rating 5 out of 5]

two main things this book has taught me:
1. i am really not a non-fiction book reader…🙂‍↕️
2. different organisations have different roles to play? 🧐 and perhaps me (and the average singaporean?) places too much expectation on the state and the roles it should play.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking. Mr Bilahari is a great thinker. Must read.

[Tony Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the passing of the late Lee Kuan Yew, Bilahari is the omniscient statesman in his unbiased analysis of Singapore's neighbours near in Asia and farther throughout Europe and North America.

[Adriane Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and insightful behind the scenes on foreign policy and internationalisation.