Barry Desker, Dean, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Moderated by Chan Heng Chee, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, and Executive Chairman of the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities in the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)

The way the two largest global economies and defence spenders manage their bilateral relations in the coming years will have a tremendous impact on Asia and the world.  The American decision to refocus its diplomacy and military forces toward the Asia-Pacific has been viewed as a response to China’s growing regional ambitions.  Can the United States afford its long-term policy ambitions in Asia? How will Beijing react to the U.S. ‘pivot’ strategy?  Can the United States and China be persuaded that their interests lie in cooperation rather than competition?  These are some of the questions that will be addressed by the panellists.
 

Introductory Remarks By Barry Desker, Dean, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Moderated by Joseph Liow, Professor of Comparative and International Politics and Associate Dean, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

This panel will address some of the most profound and urgent challenges to the world’s security today. Choices made now will determine the trajectories of strategic, political and economic life for a long time to come.  Will the build-up to crisis over Iran’s nuclear ambitions bring unprecedented upheaval or can it be averted?  How will the turbulence in Afghanistan play out as the United States begins to withdraw its forces?  The popular uprisings associated with the Arab Spring have led to revolts in Libya and Syria.  What are the lessons for us? And finally, in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, what is to become of the promise of a nuclear renaissance?
 

Moderated by Nik Gowing, International Broadcast Journalist

The G20 which has declared itself as the “premier forum for international economic cooperation” continues to suffer from “input” legitimacy – its exclusive nature and lack of broader representation – and “output” legitimacy – its ability to strengthen international cooperation and come up with effective solutions. Its agenda is also quickly becoming overcrowded. At the same time, the global economic architecture is also moving towards a more decentralized system with global, regional, and national institutions. How can we make the G20 more effective? How can we promote greater complementarity between global, regional, and national institutions? Is the world economy governable?

Introductory Remarks By Barry Desker, Dean, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies