Asia-US relations

Canada Defeats US in Hockey: Trudeau’s “You Can’t Take Our Game” Message Resonates

Trudeau’s response to Canada’s victory over the U.S. in the hockey game, a resounding “You can’t take our country,” or perhaps more accurately, “You can’t take our game,” encapsulates a much larger sentiment swirling around the event. It wasn’t just a hockey game; it felt like a symbolic showdown, a clash of national pride fueled by a potent mix of political rhetoric and historical rivalry.

The pre-game atmosphere was thick with bravado, even bordering on aggressive posturing. The idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state, a notion tossed around with a casual disregard that many found deeply offensive, added an unexpected layer of tension to the competition.… Continue reading

Singapore: Asia Sees US as a Rent-Seeking Landlord

In a shift from its post-World War II image, the United States is now viewed by some in Asia less as a moral force and more as a self-interested power. This change, highlighted by Singapore’s defense chief Ng Eng Hen at the Munich Security Conference, reflects a fundamental alteration in perceptions since the Kennedy era. The U.S. is now seen as a “landlord seeking rent,” rather than a liberator, contrasting sharply with its historical role. This altered perception stems from a reassessment of US actions and their impact on the region.

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