Trump Pauses Iran Strike, Putin Flies to Beijing and Oil Falls

Is Singapore losing the world we relied on? An intelligence chief's candid take

Are we seeing a fragmentation in the rules-based global order? And if so, what does this mean for Singapore? In this episode of Lens on Singapore, Claressa Monteiro speaks to Henry Wilkinson, chief intelligence officer at Dragonfly Intelligence from Dow Jones for his expert take on the biggest geopolitical flashpoints, from the war in the Middle East, to the Taiwan question. With two decades of experience assessing risk, he discusses the looming risks for global stability and security, both in Singapore and the region. Highlights of the conversation:  03:12 The multi-sphere framework 05:43 Singapore’s hedging strategy 08:13 China’s ambitions in Asia 09:58 The Taiwan question 14:31 Geopolitics vs AI: Impact on business decisions 16:44 Claressa’s coffee question --- Now, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg [btpodcasts@sph.com.sg]. We’ll look into it for future episodes. --- Written and presented by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg [claremb@sph.com.sg]) With Henry Wilkinson, chief intelligence officer, Dragonfly Intelligence from Dow Jones  Executive producer: Claressa Monteiro Producer: Nicole Teo Coordinating producer: Chai Pei Chieh Video production: Studio +65 A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media --- Follow Lens On and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] Amazon: bt.sg/lensam [http://bt.sg/lensam] Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap [http://bt.sg/lensap] Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp [http://bt.sg/lenssp] YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt [http://bt.sg/lensyt] Website: bt.sg/lenson [http://bt.sg/lenson] Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks [https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks] BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt [https://bt.sg/btcobt] BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts [https://bt.sg/podcasts] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Singapore and China Call for Ceasefire, U.S. Strikes Iran, Russia Threatens Kyiv

Headline news for May 26, 2026:  Singapore and China jointly call for an immediate Middle East ceasefire as Iran's top negotiator heads to Doha for talks even as U.S. forces strike Iranian missile sites and mine-laying boats. Russia warns of systematic strikes on Kyiv and urges foreigners to leave the city.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg [claremb@sph.com.sg])  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Howie Lim Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] Amazon: bt.sg/lensam [http://bt.sg/lensam] Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap [http://bt.sg/lensap] Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp [http://bt.sg/lenssp] YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt [http://bt.sg/lensyt] Website: bt.sg/lenson [http://bt.sg/lenson] Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt [https://bt.sg/btmark2mkt]  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt [https://bt.sg/btpropertybt] PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks [https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks] BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts [https://bt.sg/podcasts] BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson]   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Russia Pounds Kyiv, Trump Slows Iran Talks and Oil Falls Below $100

Headline news for May 25, 2026: Russia launches its largest assault on Kyiv in years with six hundred drones, ninety missiles and a nuclear-capable hypersonic weapon then strikes again overnight killing twelve more. President Trump tells his Iran negotiators not to rush a deal as its outlines take shape. Oil falls below one hundred dollars on deal optimism.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg [claremb@sph.com.sg])  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Howie Lim Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] Amazon: bt.sg/lensam [http://bt.sg/lensam] Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap [http://bt.sg/lensap] Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp [http://bt.sg/lenssp] YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt [http://bt.sg/lensyt] Website: bt.sg/lenson [http://bt.sg/lenson] Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt [https://bt.sg/btmark2mkt]  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt [https://bt.sg/btpropertybt] PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks [https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks] BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts [https://bt.sg/podcasts] BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

M1-Simba Merger Dies and Rubio Calls Iran's Hormuz Toll Plan Unfeasible

Headline news for May 22, 2026: The M1-Simba merger is officially dead as Tuas Limited terminates its sale agreement following the IMDA's suspension of the review. US-Iran talks remain deadlocked over uranium and Strait of Hormuz tolls with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning a deal is unfeasible if Iran pursues toll charges on the waterway.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Nicole Teo (nicolet@sph.com.sg [claremb@sph.com.sg])  Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Howie Lim Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] Amazon: bt.sg/lensam [http://bt.sg/lensam] Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap [http://bt.sg/lensap] Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp [http://bt.sg/lenssp] YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt [http://bt.sg/lensyt] Website: bt.sg/lenson [http://bt.sg/lenson] Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt [https://bt.sg/btmark2mkt]  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt [https://bt.sg/btpropertybt] PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks [https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks] BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts [https://bt.sg/podcasts] BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

OpenAI announces $300M investment in Singapore, Xi and Putin denounce Trump’s Golden Dome

Headline news for May 21, 2026: US President Donald Trump says he was “right on the borderline” between a deal and resuming the war on Iran. OpenAI announces it will open its first Applied AI Lab outside of the US in Singapore. The China-Russia meeting concludes with no significant deals. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Nicole Teo (nicolet@sph.com.sg [nicolet@sph.com.sg]) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Howie Lim Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] Amazon: bt.sg/lensam [http://bt.sg/lensam] Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap [http://bt.sg/lensap] Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp [http://bt.sg/lenssp] YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt [http://bt.sg/lensyt] Website: bt.sg/lenson [http://bt.sg/lenson] Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt [https://bt.sg/btmark2mkt]  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt [https://bt.sg/btpropertybt] PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks [https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks] BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts [https://bt.sg/podcasts] BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.