Navigating Uncertainty: Our Region in an Age of Flux by Professor Joseph Liow
The Southeast Asian region, celebrated for its economic growth and rich cultural tapestry, currently stands at the crux of global power dynamics. In this lecture series, Professor Liow delves into the complex challenges and dynamics that shape the region. These range from the escalating rivalry between the United States and China, to the emerging centrifugal forces within the region itself. The region’s trajectory, tracing its path from Cold War turbulence to recent economic resurgence, is now facing geopolitical shifts and heightened risks of fragmentation arising from its inherent ethnic and religious diversity. By gaining a nuanced perspective on Southeast Asia’s history and domestic tensions, we can gain insight into the potential strategies the region; and vitally, Singapore can take in a rapidly changing global environment.
Mind the Gap: Identity Politics and Geopolitics in Maritime Southeast Asia
Previous lectures in this 13th IPS-Nathan Lecture series have focused on continuity and especially change on the global geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape. This final lecture aims to explore how the fault lines of identity politics that are unfolding domestically interact and intersect with some of these geopolitical challenges. Southeast Asia is a region rich in ethnic and religious diversity. While this kaleidoscopic landscape doubtless enhances the multicultural appeal of the region, it can and has also catalysed structural trends and forces. These breed identity politics, create societal fissures, and deepen fundamental divides, all of which shape how regional states and societies understand and respond to major geopolitical developments such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the rise of China, and now, the Israel-Hamas war. The lecture also brings the discussion closer to home by considering how some of these political trends are manifesting in Singapore’s immediate neighbourhood, that is to say, maritime Southeast Asia, otherwise known as the Malay-Javanese world comprising Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, three of which are founding members of ASEAN.
Ms Lee Sue-Ann, Senior Fellow & Coordinator of the Regional Strategic and Political Studies Programme at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, will be moderating the Question-and-Answer session of this lecture.
To find out more about Professor Joseph Liow, the 13th S R Nathan Fellow, click here.
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