Today's world reminds me of situation before WWI: Vivian Balakrishnan | THE BIG STORY 

His brain is so powerful he remembers a world before he existed. He went to good school that's why. I went to lousy school my brain don't have this kind of special power.

Sometimes I think we human beings are no different from what most animals are designed to do to one another in the wild. Such as how dominant chimpanzees and certain monkey species will often start to bully and coerce the weaker ones around it, just so that it can feel much more secure and superior with itself. They also engage in very selfish group wars with one another just for resources. Human beings do the exact same things and pattern, only difference is we play this primitive game of superiority/inferiority with much greater intelligence and scientific technology. (And we are also creative in creating intelligent narratives and self-justifications for every of our own actions against others.) But deep down, all of us are still just unconscious slaves to the animal instincts and aggression and emptiness/insecurity in our hearts, designed into our minds by Nature. The world will forever have conflicts, and we can never be at peace with ourselves, so long as the human race do not find a way to transcend their own innately-designed animal aggression and primitive monkey instincts. Why should we follow this "survival of the fittest" or the "might is right" rule, just because Nature says so, and wants us to act so? We have the hidden potential for another more peaceful and balanced path, away from Nature's mindset.

“Our mainstream media remains a credible source of information, it is important we keep that reputation” Unfortunately some people are starting to say that Singapore's mainstream media are just echo chambers of western main stream media. It is not without basis. For example, most of ST's articles are reprints of Reuters, AF-P, NYT, Bloomberg and other US media. Many of its "expert" views are written by people who have linked to US interests, e.g. ASPI which receives funds from the US state department and military industrial complex. Videos on ST and CNA on foreign affairs generally has guests with links to the US government or its allies. Singapore's main stream media needs to address that before it loses its credibility.

Thanks for the video.

Your comment about which university is from is the greatest

Thanks

Most Singaporean are too engrossed in their live (online meme delivery apps, Facebook and netflix) to be bothered by deep questions posted on news and papers.

Seek out especially people have different views.... great line

Insightful as always.

Don't forget our army is Fully Vaccinated and Doubly Boosted. Need to avoid strenuous activities because myocarditis, don't send them to fight unnecessary wars please.

Vivian is basically saying … ‘Trust & Unite under PAP’. 😁

Powerful interview and hope his message can wake up Singaporeans who are still sentimental with their ancestral linkage to their “motherland” and lost judgement and conviction of their own Singaporean values.

Aiyah! No need to be anxious lah!

Let's hope there's no war in South East Asia.

Don't send the conscripts and reservists to fight other people's war.

Exactly, thus singapore shd remain neutral, dont take sides, keep a low profile. We shd just focus on reducing hardship for our people.

🇲🇾 🤝🇸🇬 good brows

Time the Govt be more open and objective to opinions from the people be complaints , grouses and alternative solutions. It takes different types of people to firm society. It will be the wisdom m, foresight and courage yet with humility and compassion to differentiate good, valid and vital information to formulate and adjust policies to be more effective and magnanimous in their leadership to develop a truly inclusive society.

You can't buy trust. You earn it. Period.

I wonder what he's thinking now - watching the debate unfold in the UN General Assembly. I hope and pray he comes back safely soon.

A minster who dare to make comment other person illiterate, before knowing that person grad from RI... hopeless..

Thank you very much, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan and The Straits Times🙏🏽🙇🏻‍♀️ If i may be allowed to voice my opinion, US governments who subsequently visited Taiwan has posed great dangers to the world. As some of their own citizens have mentioned that smart diplomacy is needed in US and focus on their national problems.

Top singaporean politicians have a similar manner, body languages, trust worthiness, intelligent and very articulate :)

I like this chanel because no need beautiful outside of MC.

Mr bala forget to say he is a dangerous man ....in a dangerous world and the people are sheeple waiting to be slaughter.

Very well thought out perspective by Vivian. And intelligent questions too by the host. The world is passing through this very fragile moment. A flash fire can start anywhere unintentionally. But hoping for the best … cheers.

*If the FM believes countries do not seek war, then knowing as we all must surely do who the active provocateur is in the China-US conflict, is it not incumbent for him and those like him to openly call out the provocateur? There is no benefit to anybody to remain on the fence in the name of diplomacy! If enough voices call out the provocateur then it may force the provocateur to change course. We all know who the provocateur is don't we, unless we are living under a rock!*

The earth is round, but the world is not united. The world divide into different blocks and antagonise with each others. This cause the people of the world face many economy crisis . The ignorance of climate change cause the people face various kinds of viruses infection and natural disasters. The awareness of world leaders is key factor to keep peace and harmony of world.

For those who tracked current affair VB comment is Pretty Extra. Is that Singapore FM?????

Good m

Risk always live in this life. Kill this risk, another risk disapear very quickly.

Take advantage of our multi-lingualism. If you only absorb information in english, you will only get one western mainstream/social media-ed perspective.

He's not the first to make the connection to ww1. It's clearly obvious there's a similar world standoff brewing reminiscent of the standoff of powers in that older era. Anyone who's read two sentences of a wikipedia page could make this comparison too. The issue is why it seems the majority of people are ignorant and seem to be so carefree.

Stop the FUD.

Thanks government

We walk on this Life journey ONLY once, let there be Peace ☮️ & Benevolence, Compassion & Love! Be Peacemakers, Singapore & Indonesia President Joko Widodo should lead dialogues for World Peace Initiatives ! ☮️ Renew this dark wounded earth into a new leaf world of joy for future kids ! 💝 No to war bloodshed ! Heaven is watching ! God has given us such a beautiful earth to share, to live, to be kind & LOVING. He is puzzled why we still slaughtering each other instead of putting food on the tables for millions of hungry children !

I ADMIRE SINGAPORE AND AM ALSO A FAN OF LEE KUAN YEW AS AN INTERNATIONALLY WELL-RESPECTED STATESMAN. IF LEE WAS ALIVE, HE WOULD LECTURE THE U.S. ABOUT STARTING THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE YOU AS fOREIGN MINISTER AND lEE HSIEN LOONG SHOULD SAY SO AND TELL THE AMERICANS NOT TO CROSS THE RED LINES.

If that's the case then we should be worried and plan for the worst

❤

Healthy no need wear mask...

The minister has not answered whether we are psychologically prepared for a vulnerable future.

Lousy FM compared to George Yeo

👍🙏

I have a group of workers who refused to learn how to survive independently. Anything that happens, they always think the supervisors and someone will be coming to their aid. All they care about is coming to the workplace and doing the same old thing every day so they can return home. They refused to learn and move forward nor want to understand the current situation. There are always such groups of people but they are not little by any means. In fact, in every division that I see, there is always a sizable percentage of such people. Tell me, how do we succeed amid these difficult times?

Like real

never doubt Singaporeans are current. doubt of a willing bait. Thanks.

Education in today's world is thought as how to make more money for self interest. In my opinion, countries need to coordinate human values as opposed to monetary values alone, through a UN style body. Also within all these debate, climate change should never be forgotten. Perhaps, it will take another century for a new world philosophy to emerge. It is my hope.

Proud to be Singaporean. Proud to be Chinese.

1. Water: like the new super large airport land, not sure can we use create new land to create super super large reservoir. So much rain in this region as compare so many countries. 2....

Mr Bala . Please explain to us normal Singaporean what was the cyber attack u mentioned for the Russian sanction ?

The interviewer should have toned down the makeup when they interview someone who is not wearing any makeup. The contrast in makeup creates too much distraction visually

The trust between the people and the government is indeed a very rare advantage that Singapore has.

But its rw Remind me how a youth olympic fail past years on his hands with so many contracts signed ...

In healthy environments and ecosystems, we are not animals, birds, insects, bacteria, plants, etc. whose food and life cycles are completely different dimensions. The higher dimensions of our existence as human beings can be seen in the natural and weather effects of human greed and selfishness. The phenomenon of human imbalances (chaos) will lead to the failure of capitalist and communist systems, and with it the collapse of the environment and ecosystems. Freedom and worldly doom unless there is interference or the instinctive support of love and peace. We can own our own destiny, and our strong minds can work together for the first (best practice) of our survival and sustenance. Selfishness and greed lead to blind spots (unprecedented brutality...bigger lose-lose battles.)

Gongs does make some sound ... indeed.

George Yeo makes a much better FM. George Yeo said must always remember history and culture as these will never change. Sounds familiar.. a leopard will never change its spots. False information does not just come from the internet. Just read the free book by Kishore. To each his own.

Vivian have lived through ww1?

Just saying, George Yeo has a better understanding of the geopolitics in particular in this region and was a better FM. The wrong man was voted out of office.

Analytical and well thought out views.

Great deals of insight, respect for our foreign minster very diplomatically speech

Everytime he opens his mouth, somebody else has to go pick up the pieces that he breaks.

U werent even born during WWI... U meant from what u read or from what was told to u? 🤔🤔

Believe in US, they have Iron man, Spiderman, Superman, Batman, Hulk...

Dont get involved in other countries' conflicts. Just make sure we dont find ourselves stuck in political traps such tht we r forced to send our men n boys to fight for other countries. That would be utter failure n utter foolishness of our govt!

Was he born in the 19th century?

America and Britain have huge influence in Singapore. Singapore is also tied to America through it's military industrial complex. Singapore cannot have an independent policy even if it wants to. But, there are demographics realities as well, most Singapore trace thier heritage back to China, 75 percent identity as Chinese and feel kinship to it. When China Grows and outpaces the united states and becomes the number 1 and the most dominant economy of the world, the political reality, the geographical reality and the demographic reality will kick in Singapore politics and they'll have to make a choice and move away from the west and align itself with Regional powers in the East. Not to mention China is slowly creating a Monroe doctrine of it's own. The only curious case is Japan and world war 2 legacy seem to weigh heavy on them. I think they will stay with the West powers and try to act as a western bulwark in the East, much like the way Israel acts as a western bulwark in the middle East.

no one knows what tomorrow can bring...🤔???...

Money from govt is always warmly welcome. The more the merrier.😄

Singapore need to diversify its food supply way ahead before food scarcity hits bad.. sg should reach to india/vietnam / cambodia/thailand .. should have rigorous quality check before massive import .. i guess india can support to a great extent as they r feeding daily 1.3 billion people daily.. just have to maintain decent quality and affordable price for the masses

I keep thinking if climate change takes place faster our landed houses are gonna sink

Yes Singaporeans are more mentally prepared than our govt's guess about the world situation. However, we are not prepared for our own govt not being well prepared enough to take on big political world changes or our govt making bad decisions on behalf of our country or region. I do fear what usa and China intends to do with each other but I really would despair if our own govt makes lousy choices in response to world tensions despite being the most highly paid and well supported govt in the world. It's so easy for govt to tell its people to be prepared. How? Want to up military spending? Build underground nuclear escape facilities? What? Talk is cheap.

The reason the global supply chains are adjusting is based on advances in technological change. Globalisation throughout the world is not being adapted the way it should be Countries want a quick fix to meet supply and demand. Rather than the world looking at long term sustainability. The world trade system needs to be monitored better to cater for each countries needs. However due to the irrational biased needs or quest for domination countries are focused on self interest. The United Nations need to be more lateral in delivering strategies that encourage both the West and East to find or increase the probability of implementing positive change. The U.N. is I believe biased or ostensibly orientated Yes , global economic instability will equate to War. Now is the time to de-escalate not provoke other countries by increasing their military presence Pull Back.

This is foreseeing and think ahead before things making a turn for the worst! Kudos Mr. Minister. While many of your neighbors are still struggling with religion, race, corruption and what not.

you need to adjust the content

History always repeats itself like a cat going round and round a ferris wheel..

EU should stop listening to USA blindly. There is no hope from 1 eye and 4 dicks popularly known as 5 eyes but atleast EU should maintain balance. South America, Africa, middle East & Asean are pretty balanced. If EU can be more rational then proper balance can be maintained and USA can be kept in place.

Light is the most needed in the world, but it is the least wanted. -Sri Chinmoy What this world craves for is power and superiocity over others. Power is a weakest against darkness. Power surrenders to darkness. What this world lacks is light. Light and darkness are the two most ancient forces that are fighting against each other. Light wants to build this world. But darkness wants to destroy this world. Those who stand with light and for light will fight for justice and order. While those for darkness will try very hard to create disorder and disharmony in society. What is light and what is darkness? This is the question very few people think about. Can we see light or darkness at its original forms? No. What we can see is only the reflections of these 2 forces through human thoughts and conducts. Light and darkness do exist, we can’t see them, but they are there and also within us all. We are ignorant of their existence in us. These two forces influence our mind and body all the time. They are the real masters within us. We are just their instruments. They control us witout our knowing. We must consciously seek for light and pray for light to come and illumine us and illumine our surrounding. This is what’s lacking in the world. Why do people always light up candles during memorial services? They are seeking for light to shine, light to illumine. but during other times, who do that? We just enjoy ourselves and busy ourselves with other things. Who cares to pray for light on the daily basis? Very very few. Sri Chinmoy was the light that came to warn the world. But very few people listened to him. He was sent back to earth to bring back harmony. But very few people cared for what he had to say. Very few people believe what he wants to warn the world. Just like what happened when a scientist named Terry Seth who tried to warn Indonesia about the coming tsunami. People laughed at him and called him names. Now they listen to him. Sri Chinmoy knew many things are about to happen.Óe had the vision, the wisdom, the insight to many bad things coming for the world He tried so had to warn the world. But nobody wanted to listen to him. Now he is gone and now darkness is reigning supremacy. When the power of love Replaces the love of power Man will have a new name: God. ~Sri Chinmoy I knew Sri Chinmoy during the last 17 years of his life. But very few people were interested in what he had to offer. What we know of this world is so superficial. He knew long long time ago ahead of the world. But darkness blinded the world and deafened the world. They don’t want anything to do with him. They though he was a fake, a cult master, an ordinary person. But clearly he was not. He came to help the world. But we were too stupid.

What about Ridout rats? Are they dangerous? Will they spiralled the SG economy downwards since they are capable of leeching SGD.

Revelation 18 v 4 -13 Describes America's doom!!

Better diversify the investment in China to other countries, as not to get caught between China and US. And also diversify the export to China to other countries!

Ministers all standby their respective safe haven prop

Ww3 is a follow up!! Inevitable Expected!!

From the title i thought this guy must be over 100 yrs old 🤦🏻‍♂️

Does SAF leadership well prepared for war? We are yet to see that. Do we have the right defense leadership? ……. 🤔

Singapore need to stand up and stay on the right side of history, tell the Americans off for once.

Singapore has a lot of high caliber leaders...

So... has the PAP stocked up enough food and water supplies to last us say for one year, in the event of some major global catastrophe?

He IS smart and geopolitically up to date as a foreign minister. Do you see a minister half his level in Msia?

Impressive!! I wish we had this kind of politicians in Europe.

The news presenter looked exactly like the chinese terracota army 😂🤣

I remember long ago there is this baba predicted black president and after that ww3. I still laugh at that idea.

The biggest flashpoint between China and the US is the Taiwan issue. The US should be fully aware by now that Taiwan is at the very very core interest of the Chinese people for which they are prepared to start a war and fight it to the end at all costs, as warned by the Chinese defence minister at a recent forum. The US should take this warning seriously and not cross the red bottom-line But unfortunately, the US is testing this bottom-line for its geopolitical interests and in attempts to thwart the rise of China by all means possible.

Ws he born during WW1 era?

Agreed, but you should speak more clear: Today's world reminds me of situation before WWI: USA looks like JAPAN&GERMANY, while China looks like USA. USA is so aggressive, but China is so peaceful and patient. am i right?

Am I supposed to be reminded of Henry Kissinger? Who will be Russia, Japan and the United States of WW1, so that we can be prepared in advance for World War 2 and the subsequent cold war? 😆 But why is this not the Napoleonic era instead, when Moscow was punished for deepening trade relations with Britain? 🤫

you contributed to build a global world not thinking that if one goes down all goes down?

What has Singapore got to do with China and USA? What foreign countries are Vivian Bala Krishnan using to improve Singapore's economy and job situation? Worse things like Events in the Revelations Book of the Bible are occurring in Singapore, SEA(South East Asia) and the Asia-Pacific etc Is Vivian Bala Krishnan aware of such things and occurrences in Singapore? World War 1 and World War 2 has nothing to do with Singapore's political situation and climate. Even wonderful things and amazing events can occur in Singapore mimicking the Holy Islamic Jihads or the Christian Crusades even before the 1400's. The Singapore Government ( PAP) should consider the Wars raging in the Hearts and Minds of Citizens of Singapore not getting good jobs before setting any domestic or foreign Government policies. Vivian, Think before talking. THank you.

I disagree that the US and China are not out for war. Looking at the escalating provocations by the US over Taiwan, it is clear that the US wants war. War always has bipartisan political support in the US. This is not difficult to understand when we follow the money. War with China would be the next "growth area" for the US military-industrial complex, which has strong bipartisan political support. US provocations are baits for China to bite, which would give the US the excuse to start a war. You see, although the US wants war, it wants to be seen as the good guy. So, it wants China to fire the first shot. What can the Singapore government do to help prevent a war breaking out in the neigjbourhood (the South China Sea is Singapore's neighbourhood)? Singapore must stop telling the US that it is America's useful ally for war. This is the impression everybody gets. When Americans (officials and the public) talk about the US and its allies confronting and going to war with China, Singapore is often counted as such an ally. Singapore officials can deny till their face is blue that Singapore does not want to take sides, but nobody would believe this -- not the US, not ASEAN members, and certainly not China. The US feels assured by Singapore's readiness that, in the American mind, they would be able to use Singapore as a base for war with China. It is no use for Singapore's ministers to have sleepness nights over war in the South China Sea when Singapore is in effect encouraging America's warmongering behaviour.

i have great respect for this gentleman, Vivian Balakrishnan. Vivian's intelligence cannot be denied and i must said that his take on the global perspective and of things to come is very enlightening . A far cry from that of the recent one by George Yeo and Kishore, who both seems to be quick in defending a particular country, one calling her a loveable panda, and the other, carries a strong perception of victim hood by the west. The world has been relatively peaceful and stable for many decades because players who participated on the world stage has been abiding and playing by the international rules. That is, until , a single player seems that she has grown big enough and wanted to redefine her own rules and expect all players to comply to theirs or face trade or military retaliation. This is Nothing complex or new, we see this in past history whenever there is a shift in balance of power by one who views themselves as mightier now then before! she will go down in history just like Japan and Germany! A good and wise leader will treasure the peace and stability if he puts the interests of the people before his party goals!

How does MP Vivian knows? Is he born before WW1 ?