Wolf Review(Musings 2 by George Yeo, co-created by Woon Tai Ho)

 

(Contents)

The 2nd series of three part trilogy of Musings by George Yeo was out around March this year. It took me half a year to finish the book given it was a much thicker book, 50% more to be exact than series 1. It was one occasion on which I managed to finish a 600 pages book with enthusiasm. The world view gained through the lens of George Yeo is remarkably refreshing. Mr. Yeo’s views were more objective, a big difference from the pro-western view on the internet. As he repeatedly mention if you look at history, one can’t see a snapshot of it, the current world affair traces its roots back to its entire history. He is a prime example of a walking history Wikipedia.

There were many topics that left a deep impression. Stories about his family fight against illnesses were inspirational. His wife and both sons had suffered from health scare which required operations. Given his position as a former diplomat, he was blessed with help from people of influence. He was grateful to America, which offered much needed help during his family’s darkest hours. They got the best treatment in some of the best healthcare institutions in the US. Having received the privilege, he and his wife started Viva Foundation, a charity that offers help to children from poor families with leukaemia. Some children in China received critical treatment in top America hospitals. This initiative helps champion a rare US-China cooperation in the field of medical, in process saving many children’s lives.

George Yeo went extensively into the subject of US relations with Japan, South Korea and Singapore. The reader will be able to understand the circumstances surrounding Japan after World War 2 and why Japan can’t be a normal country for many more years to come. The obvious pro-American stance was the basis of the Japan-US and ROK-US relationships due to their dependency on the US under the nuclear umbrella agreements given the potential threat from North Korea and China. 

US-Singapore military relations didn’t take off till end of the 80s. The former Philippines President, Fernando Marcos, was overthrown by the People Power Revolution in 1986. There was wide spread public discourse on continued US military presence in the Philippines. Singapore was asked to provide military support for US troops when US forces were asked to leave Subic Bay by the new Philippines government. We eventually agreed to the US request to provide our military facilities for use as a base for ASEAN security operations on condition that America shouldn’t use Singapore as a launch pad if wars broke out between China and Taiwan. Singapore was given the status of non-NATO ally but Mr. Lee Kwan Yew refused the status politely, given our commitment to the Non-aligned movement. Singapore are friends of China and Taiwan, siding one over the other was not in the interest of Singapore. Given our late establishment of diplomatic relations with China, as Lee Kuan Yew brilliantly points out, China is our new friend and Taiwan is our old friend, when you meet new friends, you don’t forget your old friends. It is so true with country to country relations and more so in a personal friendship.

There were topics relating to Singapore’s relations with Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and ASEAN. ASEAN was born out of fear, given those trouble days in the Indo-China Wars which were essentially part of the Cold War. ASEAN countries fear they might be used as pawns in big powers struggle again. ASEAN works better with soft touch. We are in a grouping that doesn’t engage in loud hailer diplomacy. Every discussion had to bear in mind the sensitivity of each country. Overall, George Yeo felt Singapore and Indonesia can accomplish more things by having one voice as members of ASEAN. Keeping influence of big powers struggle out of ASEAN was key to keeping its relevancy and survival. ASEAN cooperation can go beyond politics, for example in area of sports. Mr. Yeo suggested in having a joint bid by ASEAN to host the FIFA World Cup with each country hosting some games in their National Stadium. One day we might see a World Cup match been played in our own backyard.

I personally can’t speak more favourably about the book. If anyone is looking for a book on Asian history, geopolitical and world current affairs, this is one book that can bring you up to speed. It might be too early to conclude the Lone Wolf Investor’s book of the year award, but this book has everything which made it a clear winner. The co author Woon Tai Ho did an amazing job by structuring the book in bite-size topics that made the book an excellent read. The book goes on Lone Wolf Investor’s highly recommended list.

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