Why Tiny Singapore Has One of World’s Best Militaries｜Taiwan Talks EP507

Summary

This episode of Taiwan Talks explores Singapore's strategic military and geopolitical position, discussing its strong defense capabilities despite being a small nation. Experts Alexander Hang and Wy Song delve into Singapore's historical context, its balancing act between the US and China, and its vital role in the Malacca Strait. They also highlight Singapore's success story, driven by rule of law, its status as a global financial hub, and its relationships with both Western and Asian powers. As tensions between the US and China rise, the conversation touches on how Singapore navigates these challenges while maintaining a neutral yet strategic position.

Takeaways

• 😀 Singapore, a small city-state, is one of Asia's biggest success stories, known for its strong military and economic power despite its limited size.
• 😀 The country spends approximately 20 billion USD on defense in 2024-2025, reflecting its focus on building one of the best militaries in the world.
• 😀 Singapore's defense strategy includes compulsory military service, and it regularly conducts international military exercises to ensure readiness, often training in friendly foreign territories due to its limited domestic space.
• 😀 Singapore's military ties with countries like the U.S., Australia, and Israel reflect its strategic alliances and its proactive approach to regional security, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
• 😀 Singapore has a unique geopolitical position as a key player in global maritime trade, with the Malacca Strait serving as a vital passage for over 60% of global shipping.
• 😀 The relationship between Singapore and China is complex, balancing historical and cultural ties with the need to manage economic and security tensions, particularly as the U.S.-China rivalry intensifies.
• 😀 While Singapore values strong economic ties with China, its security relations are more aligned with Western liberal democracies, especially in the context of the U.S.-China competition.
• 😀 Singapore's role in regional diplomacy is crucial, often serving as a neutral ground for multilateral discussions, including hosting the Shangri-La Dialogue on Asian security.
• 😀 The country is highly regarded for its rule of law, which contributes to its success as a global financial hub, attracting international investment and business.
• 😀 Singapore's leadership model, while often criticized as authoritarian, is built on a competitive, procedural democracy that has allowed the city-state to maintain stability and economic growth over decades.
• 😀 Despite its close trade relations with China, Singapore has strategically diversified its partnerships, ensuring it remains resilient to shifts in global supply chains and economic realignment.

Q & A

What makes Singapore's military capabilities stand out despite its small size?

Singapore’s military is one of the most capable in the world due to its well-trained and well-equipped forces, despite being a small city-state. About 25% of its population is involved in defense, and the country places a strong emphasis on maintaining sovereignty and security through compulsory military service and strategic alliances.

Why does Singapore conduct military exercises in foreign territories like Australia?

Singapore conducts military exercises abroad due to the limited land and space available for training within its own borders. This is necessary to maintain a first-class military while ensuring operational readiness. Training in friendly foreign countries like Australia also helps enhance its defense capabilities.

How did Singapore’s historical context influence its defense strategy?

Singapore’s history of ethnic tensions and its split from Malaysia in 1965 shaped its defense strategy. The country has focused on maintaining strong national unity and internal stability, particularly through compulsory military service, and has pursued strong defense capabilities to secure its sovereignty.

What role does Singapore play in regional security, especially concerning the Malacca Strait?

Singapore holds a critical role in regional security due to its location at the Malacca Strait, a major global shipping route. The country is responsible for securing maritime trade routes, deterring piracy, and ensuring the freedom of navigation, which is vital for global trade and regional stability.

Why does Singapore maintain strong relations with both the U.S. and China despite growing geopolitical tensions?

Singapore seeks to balance its relationships with both the U.S. and China due to its strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region. It benefits economically from China, but also values its security partnerships with the U.S. Singapore aims to avoid being forced to choose sides, though it tends to lean toward the U.S. when tensions escalate.

How does Singapore navigate its relationships with China, given its cultural ties and strategic considerations?

Singapore has strong cultural and economic ties with China, given its large ethnic Chinese population. However, it carefully navigates these ties, maintaining a neutral position in regional conflicts and balancing its security relations with the U.S. Singapore also seeks to avoid being influenced by China in its domestic and foreign policy.

What is the significance of the U.S.-Singapore military cooperation?

U.S.-Singapore military cooperation is crucial due to Singapore’s strategic location in the Malacca Strait, making it a key partner in ensuring regional security. The U.S. has deployed advanced military assets, like the F-35 fighter jets, in Singapore, and both countries conduct joint exercises and maintain close defense ties to counter regional security threats.

How does Singapore’s rule of law contribute to its economic success?

Singapore’s rule of law is central to its economic success. The country maintains strict legal frameworks that ensure fairness, transparency, and stability, which attract global investments and facilitate trade. The legal system provides a predictable environment for businesses, making Singapore one of the leading financial hubs in Asia.

What challenges does Singapore face with the realignment of global supply chains?

As global supply chains realign, particularly with nations reducing dependence on China, Singapore faces the challenge of maintaining its central role as a gateway between the East and West. However, the country is well-positioned to continue benefiting from its strategic location and reputation as a stable, efficient business hub.

What is the 'Singapore Model' and how is it viewed internationally?

The 'Singapore Model' refers to the country’s approach of efficient governance, strict rule of law, and market-driven economic policies. While it has been highly successful, some critics, especially from China, mischaracterize it as authoritarian. Singapore's model emphasizes stability, transparency, and the ability to attract global investment, with free elections and competitive procedures distinguishing it from authoritarian systems.