State of Asia Accidents and Agency with Bilahari Kausikan
Sep 19, 2023
Bilahari Kausikan, a veteran diplomat with 37 years in Singapore's Foreign Affairs, dives deep into the current state of global diplomacy. He discusses why he maintains a sense of hope amid global chaos and explores the challenges China faces under Xi Jinping. Kausikan emphasizes the agency small nations can leverage on the world stage, sharing insights into Singapore's diplomatic strategies and the complexities of BRICS dynamics. His experiences reveal how clarity in communication can transform international relations.
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Kausikan's Accidental Diplomacy Career
- Bilahari Kausikan started his Ministry of Foreign Affairs career by accident after quitting his PhD program in the US.
- He stayed for 37 years because he enjoyed his work and forgot to leave.
Learn a Post by Walking It
- Learn about a new post by reading widely before arrival and walking its streets to absorb local insights.
- Engage with diverse people beyond government to truly understand the host country.
World Tensions Are Historically Normal
- The current world tensions are a return to the historical norm of international conflict and competition.
- The 20-year post-Cold War peace was an exceptional deviation caused by U.S. dominance, now ending.