IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 | Managing Regional Tensions Amid Global Competition

The 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue’s fifth plenary session addresses the challenges of managing regional tensions amid global competition, emphasizing the erosion of trust and the necessity of maintaining a rules-based international order. Defense ministers from Japan, the Netherlands, and Malaysia highlight the interconnected nature of security, where regional conflicts directly impact global stability. Key arguments focus on the importance of transparency in defense build-ups, the role of middle powers in upholding international law, and the need for sustained dialogue to prevent escalation. Participants discuss specific concerns, including the weaponization of information, the necessity of defense industrial cooperation, and the risks of selective adherence to international agreements. Regional stability requires collective action, strategic trust, and a commitment to multilateral mechanisms rather than unilateral coercion or isolationist policies.