From Russia’s War on Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific:

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has shaken the foundations of European security, compelling the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies in Europe to rethink long-standing security assumptions and their responsibility in defending sovereignty, democracy, and the rules-based international order. As Europe confronts the new geopolitical realities, defence budgets across NATO member states have risen to levels unprecedented since the end of the Cold War, with Germany’s historic Zeitenwende (turning point) marking a decisive break from an era of a pacifist security policy orientation. The substantial increase in defence expenditure across European countries and their moves towards forging a more cohesive security and unified foreign policy posture signal the emergence of a stronger Europe, not only as a cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic defence, but also as a contributor to security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of an evolving new world order. This special seminar, held in conjunction with the 35th anniversary of German Reunification and the 60th anniversary of Singapore-Germany diplomatic relations, will explore these dynamics. It brings together Professor Chan Heng Chee and Dr Carlo Masala to discuss why a stronger Europe matters for Asia and how it may help shape a rules-based international order in a brave new world.