Current instability in Europe stems from decisions made by the US, with extended conflict in Europe directly affecting Asian nations, giving Pacific states a direct interest in regional stability.

Singapore is rethinking how family policy can better support people in managing work and family life. At the National Day Rally on 23 August, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong outlined the first set of measures from the Marriage and Parenthood Reset workgroup, including more childcare leave, sustained financial support and more affordable preschool. He described the goal as a “fundamental shift” in how families are supported and began with “something every parent wishes they had more of: time.” If Singapore wants to understand and ultimately lighten that load, it needs to measure that resource more systematically. A regular, nationally representative time-use survey would provide an important evidence base for designing and evaluating family, care and work-life policies across the life course.

Amid concerns about clearing Maju Forest for housing, suggestions that Singapore should only build on “brownfield sites” are reasonable. But they may also overlook a few things.

When we discuss the future of work, we usually jump to AI, green jobs, and digital skills. Those conversations matter, but they miss something basic: paid work runs on care work. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities still need daily support, no matter how advanced an economy becomes. In aging societies, care needs rise while family size shrinks. The central policy question is straightforward: who provides care, and what protections do they have?