Multipolar Asia and the Reconfiguration of Global Power
The global order is shifting. For much of the modern era, power was concentrated in the hands of a few states or alliances. Today, however, Asia is emerging at the centre of a more complex, multipolar world. China’s rise, India’s dynamism, Japan’s assertiveness, and the growing influence of middle powers such as Indonesia and Vietnam are reshaping the strategic landscape. At the same time, the United States, Russia and Europe are seeking to deepen their presence in the Indo-Pacific, intensifying competition and opportunity alike.
In this S. T. Lee Distinguished Annual Lecture, Professor Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History at Oxford University and UNESCO Professor of Silk Roads Studies at King’s College, Cambridge; explored how historical precedents of multipolarity – from empires and rivalries of the past – shed light on today’s transformations. He asked what this means for diplomacy, security, and economic resilience, and how small states like Singapore can navigate and even shape this evolving order.
Watch the Distinguished Annual Lecture here:
Professor Frankopan was also a guest on In Conversation, where he had a lively conversation about Culture, Faith, and Lessons from the Past.
Listen to the episode here:
