Try GOLD - Free
Letter of the day Blend of principle and pragmatism needed in Singapore's foreign policy
The Straits Times
|March 10, 2025
I refer to the contribution and exchange of views on global affairs by Mr Bilahari Kausikan (Facing up to the realities of Trump 2.0, March 3; and Distinction between foreign policy of words and of deeds, March 6) and Professor Tommy Koh (Singapore's foreign policy based on realism, March 5).
Prof Koh's approach to foreign relations leans towards idealism, championing values like fairness, cooperation and mutual respect as cornerstones of diplomacy. Mr Kausikan takes a more practical stance, anchoring Singapore's foreign policy in a clear-eyed understanding of the self-interested and complex nature of global politics.
This story is from the March 10, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times
The Straits Times
Family Power should be a strong factor again
Jan 9 South Africa (Fairview) preview
3 mins
January 08, 2026
The Straits Times
World's tallest indoor vertical farm, costing $80m, opens in Jurong
Gleaming structures rise over 23m above ground and leaves peek out of several racks in the world's tallest indoor vertical farm that was unveiled here on Jan 7.
5 mins
January 08, 2026
The Straits Times
KPMG-SID Budget wish list: AI trust mark, global 'master trainers' to help business leaders
A form of trust and assurance certification for artificial intelligence (AI) could be critical to reinforcing Singapore's credibility in the region's AI space.
4 mins
January 08, 2026
The Straits Times
SRS • Govt continues to review scheme regularly
We thank Mr Eric Yip Kok Leong for the suggestions in his letter \"Relook SRS withdrawal policies to better align with retirement needs\" (Jan 2).
1 min
January 08, 2026
The Straits Times
New indoor golf league will boost women's game
FLORIDA The LPGA and TMRW Sports announced on Jan 6 a women's version of the tech-infused indoor golf league that was created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
2 mins
January 08, 2026
The Straits Times
Venezuela to relinquish oil worth up to $3.6b to US, says Trump
US President Donald Trump said Venezuela would relinquish as much as 50 million barrels of oil to the US, worth roughly US$2.8 billion (S$3.6 billion) at the current market price, announcing the cargoes would be sold with proceeds benefiting both countries.
3 mins
January 08, 2026
The Straits Times
Venezuela's oil bonanza is an illusion
Tapping the country's oil reserves is fraught with financial, technical and political hazards.
6 mins
January 08, 2026
The Straits Times
One hip-hop dance audition video... ... AND A SHOT AT K-POP
Many K-pop hopefuls undergo numerous auditions and slog for years for that one chance to make it in the industry.
5 mins
January 08, 2026
The Straits Times
Make wall text for Biennale artworks clear
I thank Ms Ong Sor Fern for taking the time to research her article “Time to shut down the Singapore Biennale?” (Jan 6) and for sharing her experiences of foreign biennales.
1 mins
January 08, 2026
The Straits Times
New food safety grading system to be rolled out on Jan 19
It focuses on establishments’ track record rather than yearly snapshot assessments
4 mins
January 08, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size
