Ambassador Kausikan Concludes Lecture Series with Reflections on Singapore’s Strategic Challenges

The final lecture, Challenges, delivered on 14 November 2025, brought the series to a meaningful close. Ambassador Kausikan began with a brief recap of the earlier sessions on relevance and identity before turning to the complex realities confronting Singapore today.

He reflected on S. Rajaratnam’s theology of foreign diplomacy...the distinction between its rhetoric and ideals, and its actual practice and highlighted the reminder of not confusing the two. He said that for a small state operating in a world largely beyond its control, understanding this difference is critical to formulating rational and effective foreign policy. He also discussed the role of national education in helping citizens understand Singapore’s history, realities, and challenges.

Across all three lectures, participants engaged enthusiastically, raising questions on regional dynamics, great-power competition, and Singapore’s strategic posture. The series offered a rare opportunity to explore how Singapore thinks, adapts, and positions itself amid a rapidly changing global landscape.

For the Public Lecture series playlist - click https://tinyurl.com/BLHariplaylist