Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said true geopolitical victory involves building a model the world wants to follow rather than defeating opponents.
This shift in perspective is critical as nations navigate evolving global conflicts and the risk of systemic instability. By prioritizing inclusive prosperity over adversarial competition, Singapore aims to steer international security away from zero-sum dynamics.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on May 31, 2026 [1], Chan said the traditional approach to victory is outdated. He said the focus should instead be on creating a prosperous, and inclusive framework that other nations can emulate [3].
To achieve this, Chan called for security partnerships that are flexible and issue-based [2]. He said these adaptable frameworks are necessary to keep pace with the evolving nature of modern conflicts. This approach is designed to prevent a "race to the bottom" where nations prioritize short-term tactical gains over long-term global stability [1].
"We need to move away from a race to the bottom and focus on building a model that the world wants to emulate," Chan said [1].
The minister's remarks followed a series of high-level diplomatic engagements during the summit. This included a meeting with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on May 29, 2026 [4], highlighting the intersection of regional security and global military partnerships.
Chan said the goal of diplomacy should be the creation of a sustainable model of success. He said true victory is not about defeating an adversary, but about creating a prosperous, inclusive model that others can follow [3].
“True victory is not about defeating an adversary, but about creating a prosperous, inclusive model that others can follow.”
Singapore is positioning itself as a diplomatic bridge-builder by advocating for 'issue-based' partnerships. This strategy allows smaller nations to maintain security ties with major powers without being forced into rigid, exclusive alliances that could exacerbate tensions between global superpowers.
