Tim Huxley

They are among the best Singapore can offer, and I am sure they will be involved( in the summit), they remain very much a substantial and frontline force, and the demands of this kind of event are precisely the sort of special operation that the Gurkhas are trained to handle.

It will not be a surprise if Korea emerges as the single most important topic at the Shangri-La Dialogue, but it will not overshadow other very important crises in the region.

There is a big question mark about that role now in light of the... by Tim Huxley

There is a big question mark about that role now in light of the America-first policy.

Thai policies reflect the predicament of the region, regional states want to have positive relations with China yet at the same time ... strategically they are aligned with the West and they have reasons for being cautious about China's behavior in the region.

It reflects concern about what's happening in the South China Sea and its need to restructure and re-arm, with a greater emphasis on greater naval and air capability, it wants to widen options available and have more choices in the international market place in terms of range of technology and its negotiating position.

They are not doing this for national day parades ... they are bui... by Tim Huxley

They are not doing this for national day parades ... they are building real military capabilities.

As their capabilities in the maritime space expand, it means the range and lethality of (Southeast Asian) strike forces will also increase, if there is a confrontation and it escalates, there is a potential for a more lethal conflict.

These multi-purpose vessels can be fitted for a range of missions. They are ideal for Southeast Asian navies, which have small budgets but a range of needs.

It is a buyer's market, the main reason for it not working out very well might be just sheer competition.

There are no negative geopolitical strings attached. by Tim Huxley

There are no negative geopolitical strings attached.