Why adaptive management keeps us ahead

If there is one thing about our local leadership, it is their ability to press ahead and remain adaptive. That is something that Singaporeans should be proud of. Be it the drive into media production like animation and special effects via Fusionpolis, or the life sciences push via Biopolis, these are the little niches that we have attempted to carve for ourselves. Coupled with our continuous push for education (albeit extremely demanding and stressful), it will ensure that our island can keep pace with the world.

It is wonderful that we have understood early that our best resource have been our people. Perhaps the people don't believe that they are valued and would kick up a big ruckuss about our immigration policies or maybe even complain against the education system designed to teach them a life skill of being always able to "fish" (rather than always asking for a fish). Even people outside of our nations have seens the wisdom of our strategy. One example is David Heenan in his book Flight Capital, which talks about the brain drain that faces the United States and how Singapore have been successful in drawing 'foreign talent' (people react viscerably to this word). By the way, David Heenan doesn't like us very much and he doesn't fail to admire us for it.

Comparatively, the United States is in a lot of decline. To put it simply, short-termism has grounded their competitive edge to a blunt tool. It's not just the economy stupid, it's also the other E. Education. Anyhow, populist politics or domestic politics to the U.S. dominates and now we see protectionism on the rise (Not that it wasn't there before). Then of course there was the statement about the Chinese messing them up by currency manipulation. Although there is some truth that the yuan is devalued, it does not hold water as the source of their problems. Here's is a good piece from Foreign Policy.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4692

Although I might sound harsh, my reason for doing so is simple. Because we are the small boat, we are affected by the wake of the big boats. Plus, we've always been in tow.

The Gazette on Gaza

There is an immense material out there for you to seem understanding on the conflict and the commentary come from both sides.

My personal favourite source is from RealClearPolitics. Here is the posts of the moment.

Thomas L. Friedman from the The New York Times speaking on the dangers of Iran leveraging on the Gaza conflict to negate the Obama effect.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/opinion/07friedman.html?_r=1

Jonathan Freedland wrote in the Guardian, arguing that the Israel offensive is a lost cause simply because Hamas is too rooted and the power vacuum from the removal of Hamas may be worse. I agree with this like Lewis Coser who believes that your opponents should not be broken and asymmetry complexify negotiations. (Functions of Social Conflict)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/07/gaza-palestine-israel

An article from RealClearPolitics, that comments on the knee-jerk reaction of the Israeli political leaders and how this failure of a longer term vision will jeopardise the state of Israel.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/01/the_decline_of_israels_leaders.html

USA Today has one on the similar track, saying that tactical success will not bring lasting security from rocket fire.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/01/todays-debate-t.html#more

Last but not least, New York Post making a case of the perfidious acts of Hamas and how Israel will fall prey to it.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01072009/postopinion/editorials/theyre_hamas_victims_148981.htm


I've also found many extreme posts, articles and blogs of both ends which I think is unnecessary here. I do not want to reinforce hatred but hopes to make a case of why Israel should go to the negotiating table rather than the battlefield and why Hamas need to back down from its dogma.

Again, this I point this tragedy to the lack of responsible and visionary leadership.