Europe

Singapore’s leaders see a dangerous new world

As the global order fragments and great power tensions rise, Singapore’s leaders are signalling a new era of strategic vigilance — one shaped by resilience, credibility and long-term survival, observes Lianhe Zaobao editorial consultant Goh Sin Hwee.

Goh Sin Hwee

11 May 2026

Unravelled: How the Iran war triggers a global realignment

Beyond immediate economic chaos and regional instability, the US-Israeli conflict with Iran is catalysing a historic global realignment. From a fractured Middle East and a widening transatlantic rift to China’s burgeoning influence over energy and diplomacy, the war is forcing allies and rivals alike to redraw the map of 21st-century power, observes US commentator Ian Bremmer.

Ian Bremmer

06 May 2026

Cold reality: China’s Arctic push stalls in Finland

The era of Finland as China’s “Arctic gateway” has given way to a narrow, de-risked partnership. Academic Monique Taylor observes that amid NATO commitments and a fractured geopolitical landscape, Helsinki is trading grand strategic ambitions for pragmatic, low-risk cooperation in trade and green technology. 

Monique Taylor

04 May 2026

Tit for tat: Beijing builds legal arsenal against Western sanctions and jurisdiction

US warning to Chinese banks over Iran-linked transactions triggered a swift response from Beijing, which rolled out new regulations to counter sanctions and extraterritorial legal pressure. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei examines this tit-for-tat escalation now extending into the legal sphere.

Sim Tze Wei

21 Apr 2026

Britain can no longer treat China as optional

As US instability grows, Britain must rethink its China posture. Neither ally nor adversary, Beijing demands engagement with clarity, pragmatism and a strategy that reflects shifting global power, says UK academic Kerry Brown.

Kerry Brown

17 Apr 2026

Europe copies China’s industrial playbook: A protectionist turn?

Europe’s new industrial policy mirrors aspects of China’s state-led model, from local content rules to investment screening. But is this a shift toward protectionism — or a path to deeper EU-China industrial cooperation? Researcher Patrick Schröder analyses the situation.

Patrick Schröder

17 Apr 2026

How the EU is trapped in a status quo that rewards China

Europe finds itself at an impasse in its relations with China. Fundamentally, China holds more of the cards, and this does not change even with recent escalating events like the US-Israeli war on Iran. French researcher Mathieu Duchâtel gives his assessment.

Mathieu Duchâtel

26 Mar 2026

Buying time: Germany between a changed US and rising China

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visits to China and the US reflected Germany’s considerations of navigating the two superpowers, while maintaining Germany’s own interests in terms of economy and international relations. Japanese academic Yuichi Morii gives his analysis.

Yuichi Morii

17 Mar 2026

China’s diplomatic blitz in Trump’s backyard — who will dominate the western hemisphere?

The high frequency of foreign dignitaries from Asia, Europe and South America visiting China at the start of 2026 indicates a strong focus and urgency behind Beijing’s effort to draw US allies closer and counter America’s efforts to restore preeminence in the western hemisphere, observes ISEAS researcher Lye Liang Fook.

Lye Liang Fook

27 Feb 2026

[Big read] When the Arctic opens, what happens to Singapore?

A thawing Northern Sea Route (NSR) is forcing a rethink of global shipping, promising shorter voyages and lower costs. What this means for Singapore’s role as a maritime hub is now under scrutiny, as Lianhe Zaobao senior business correspondent Lewis Ong Yong Huat speaks to industry insiders and academics to find out more.

Lewis Ong Yong Huat

06 Feb 2026

How gutter oil became a prized fuel for international airlines

Once scorned as a public health hazard, China’s notorious “gutter oil” or used cooking oil (UCO) has been recast as one of the world’s most sought‑after feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel — fetching prices higher than conventional jet fuel as airlines rush to cut carbon and meet global mandates.

Caixin Global

06 Feb 2026

Replacing the UN? Trump goes too far

US President Donald Trump’s mafia-style intimidation, extortion and coercion are finally forcing countries to act, with traditional allies leading the revolt. Former journalist Goh Choon Kang explains why Trump’s Board of Peace has hit a dead end before it even takes off.

Goh Choon Kang

03 Feb 2026