Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing called for updated international norms and flexible security partnerships to address increasingly complex global threats [1, 2].
The appeal comes as modern conflicts shift beyond traditional warfare into economic, cyber, technological, and information domains. This evolution requires a fundamental change in how nations collaborate to maintain stability and prevent escalation in a fragmented geopolitical landscape.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Chan said that the nature of conflict is evolving, making old frameworks insufficient [1, 2]. He said that security threats are now multidimensional and require a coordinated response that spans multiple sectors of governance and technology.
Chan said that countries must forge stronger partnerships with like-minded nations to counter these emerging risks [1, 2]. He said that these partnerships should remain flexible to adapt to the rapid pace of technological change and shifting political alliances.
Beyond international cooperation, the minister highlighted the necessity of stronger domestic cohesion [1, 2]. He said that internal stability is a prerequisite for a nation to effectively manage external pressures and security challenges.
Chan also stressed the importance of strict adherence to international law [1, 2]. He said that a rules-based order remains the most effective way to ensure that disputes are resolved peacefully and that smaller nations are protected from coercion.
The call for new rules is intended to bridge the gap between existing treaties and the reality of 21st-century warfare, where a cyberattack can be as damaging as a physical strike [1, 2].
“The nature of conflict is evolving, making old frameworks insufficient.”
Singapore's push for updated norms reflects a broader concern among smaller, trade-dependent nations that traditional security umbrellas are inadequate for non-kinetic warfare. By emphasizing 'like-minded' partnerships and domestic cohesion, Singapore is signaling a strategy of diversified security dependencies to avoid being forced to choose sides in a binary power struggle while mitigating the risks of hybrid threats.
