Multipolarity Dialogues: George Yeo On How Singapore Navigates Between China and America

The global transition from a unipolar to a multipolar world order is being accelerated by the United States' unilateral actions, which force nations to recalibrate their geopolitical alignments. George Yeo, former Singaporean Foreign Minister, argues that Asia’s historical trajectory—defined by the rise and fall of Chinese dynasties—requires a distinct analytical framework that rejects Western-centric models like the Thucydides Trap. As the US and China engage in security competition, middle powers like Singapore must maintain neutrality by acting as agile cultural arbitragers and regional peacemakers. The current Western approach often fails due to a lack of deep historical empathy, relying on technological force rather than understanding the complex, long-term motivations of other civilizations. Ultimately, the unchecked application of AI in modern warfare reflects a dangerous hubris that threatens to undermine global stability and foster unnecessary conflict.