Singapore's cordial relationship with Uncle Sam
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Its no secret that Singapore has a pretty friendly relationship with US, with some of the more evident signs of this being our men training there and the majority of our air force equipment US made. By any means, this relationship has brought us a fair amount of benefits like the US-Singapore FTA...etc. But to some extent, I feel that this relationship will really become a liability someday. Taiwan, of course would be one of the few flashpoints in Asia. How would the Chinese react if Changi Naval Base were to used as a resupply point for the CVNs. Would Singapore be unwillingly implicated any of Uncle Sam's stunts in the Asia-Pacific region? Terrorists have already stated Singapore as a target due to our close links to the US.What you think? Is our present relationship a liability or a blessing?
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i tink that it is a blessing... If we are going to engage in any war,and if we needed help help,US can send it CNVs over to help out a bit... Cannot say i dun have confidence in SAF but when needed a little help,we are going to have that...
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Unfortunately our too cosy relationship with US sticks out like a sore thumb in ASEAN with some of our neighbors who do not enjoy the best of relationships with the US. My opinion is that it is great to have US support but we shud also not give so such much overt support of US policies - we shud be mindful of sensitivities in the region - sorry small red dot syndrome again.
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It is the OVER-sensitivities of our neighbors that i dislike..... can't please them at all. Better to have a good relationship with US. At least US won't just stop selling u something and use all sorts of excuse to cover up or to blame you.Originally posted by glock:Unfortunately our too cosy relationship with US sticks out like a sore thumb in ASEAN with some of our neighbors who do not enjoy the best of relationships with the US. My opinion is that it is great to have US support but we shud also not give so such much overt support of US policies - we shud be mindful of sensitivities in the region - sorry small red dot syndrome again. -
I happen to recall one of our neighbour's F-16 fleet being grounded due to the lack of spare parts. This lack of spare parts roots of course from a US arms embargo. Uncle Sam is the bigger and more powerful country, we need him more than he needs us. What makes you think the moment we turn against US interests, he won't do the same to us. Remember Iraq was Ronald Reagan's best friend back in the 80s.Originally posted by hloc:It is the OVER-sensitivities of our neighbors that i dislike..... can't please them at all. Better to have a good relationship with US. At least US won't just stop selling u something and use all sorts of excuse to cover up or to blame you. -
Well, more reason to stand on the side of the free world.Originally posted by fallin:I happen to recall one of our neighbour's F-16 fleet being grounded due to the lack of spare parts. This lack of spare parts roots of course from a US arms embargo. Uncle Sam is the bigger and more powerful country, we need him more than he needs us. What makes you think the moment we turn against US interests, he won't do the same to us. Remember Iraq was Ronald Reagan's best friend back in the 80s.
Why would anyone want to stand on the opposing side? -
Just to be devil's advocate, don't you think its rather precarious to be at the beck and call of any one nation. Both Singapore and the United States are distinctly different countries with different national agendas and interests. There is absolutely no guarantee that our national interests will always coincide with each other. What if it comes to a point that we have very serious difference in views with the Yanks and we have to stand our ground? Not a very new thing for us. The term "free world" is a very subjective one. I have absolutely no issue with the Yanks but I still think its rather unwise to align one way or the other.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Well, more reason to stand on the side of the free world. Why would anyone want to stand on the opposing side? -
But if Taiwan goes independent and gets whacked by China, they deserve it. Why should SG get involved on the US/Taiwan side?
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yup i agree. we should not be sending our guys to get killed in such a situation. better remain neutral.Originally posted by moca:But if Taiwan goes independent and gets whacked by China, they deserve it. Why should SG get involved on the US/Taiwan side? -
well ... we can have security on the cheap ....
housing a few US sailors and dependents, letting a few hornets sit on the paya lebar tarmac, that's a sort of security gurantee for us .... you think uncle sam won't be pissed off if a few US wifeys and kids and grunts get killed off ? ... a squadron of hornets roasted on the tarmac ? ....
so whoever wars on us wars on Uncle Sam too, eh ? .... the brass ain't totally stupid, though we all like to think so ....
of course ... terrorism is a factor ... but between some cave dwelling camel-humpers and our sometimes rather unfriendly neighbours, I'd say the camel-humpers are the lesser of threats .... -
If China fires the first shot, we'd prolly stand on high alert but not get involved unless they choose to come into the Straits of Malacca and take control of it to ensure smooth passage of their war materiel.Originally posted by moca:But if Taiwan goes independent and gets whacked by China, they deserve it. Why should SG get involved on the US/Taiwan side? -
CNB is a stopover not only for the US ships, but also other nationalities. So I do not think, SG is kowtowing to US.
Futhermore, as someone here mentioned, I do agree that with some US personnel and equipment on our soil, it acts as a deterrent for any would be regional aggressor who may want to do a surprise attack [that is, if they have the capability at all] against SG. Hit the wrong target, and WHAM, the aggressor will have a lot of answering to do to the US.
And, SG will stand neutral if there's a fight between China and Taiwan. What are close relationships with SG and China for than?
Anyway, I believe Taiwan should go back to China. It's part of China anyway. Taiwan behaves in such a way because they THINK the US will come to their aid if China attacks. Taiwan managed to conned the US to sign a pack to ensure US will come to Taiwan's aid if China attacks. That was BEFORE US companies made a significant investment in China. Now US is in a bind. Their companies have too much at stake in China in terms of investment to allow US Gov to fight China, at the same time US have to fulfill their commitment to Taiwan.
Perhaps, eventually, US will only help to evacuate those Taiwanese who want to escape Taiwan in the event of the real China-Taiwan war. Just like in Vietnam. This is my opinion. -
Funny thing is, US already warned Taiwan to tone down its pro-independence rhetoric.
If the Taiwanese continue tovote stupidly for people like Chen, why should SG get involved if they get whacked?
China is happy with then status quo as it is and has all the patience in the world for things to take a more natural course.
Actually, China has fought many wars without having to rely much on war material passing through these parts. -
I think neither side wants to risk a major confrontation any time soon... the talk of independence in Taiwan is just that: political brinksmanship to get more votes.
But I don't think Taiwan will actually take steps to declare itself officially independent... things are pretty fine the way they are now actually, if totally unofficial. -
BothOriginally posted by fallin:Its no secret that Singapore has a pretty friendly relationship with US, with some of the more evident signs of this being our men training there and the majority of our air force equipment US made. By any means, this relationship has brought us a fair amount of benefits like the US-Singapore FTA...etc. But to some extent, I feel that this relationship will really become a liability someday. Taiwan, of course would be one of the few flashpoints in Asia. How would the Chinese react if Changi Naval Base were to used as a resupply point for the CVNs. Would Singapore be unwillingly implicated any of Uncle Sam's stunts in the Asia-Pacific region? Terrorists have already stated Singapore as a target due to our close links to the US.What you think? Is our present relationship a liability or a blessing?
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i like to stay focus on the original topics.
I think during the previous PM he has alig far way too closed to the US in terms of supporting the War in Iraq. That affected our relationship with our regional neighbors.
Because of that China has sign treaty with malaysia since they know that Malaysia act as a "Big" Brother relationship to curtail our expansion.
this essentially is the effect of the cold war that existed between china n US. -
i seriously don't see taiwan going back to china. they have 2 totally different political styles. can u imagine politicians going around in mainland china shouting slogans and all? either taiwan is going to submit or there's going to be alot of havoc.
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it would not be an actual unification. In fact when LKY brought the subject of 1 country 2 system it basically allow the status quo for both states to exist.
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Originally posted by Fatum:of course ... terrorism is a factor ... but between some cave dwelling camel-humpers and our sometimes rather unfriendly neighbours, I'd say the camel-humpers are the lesser of threats ....
very well put. Agree. -
not really.Originally posted by Arapahoe:it would not be an actual unification. In fact when LKY brought the subject of 1 country 2 system it basically allow the status quo for both states to exist.
hong kong politics got some limitations directly issued from beijing. the top bass there are sandwiched between beijing and hk.
i think taiwan should be independant, if they want to. without any wars and maintain a good relationship with china. but dats juz an ideal.