- This book was put together by its editors almost a decade ago, selected from Lee's speeches and interviews sometimes many years prior to that. So it's a little dated, and allowance has to be made. For example there's no mention of Trump or Xi Jinping, or China’s Belt and Road initiative; no mention of the current trade wars with the US or Australia; no mention of China’s huge military buildup; no mention of its expansion into the South China Sea; no mention of Hong Kong or the Uyghur minority.
- It's also a bit fawning and naive on America. No mention of the US's increasing inequality; or the far right takeover of the Republican Party; or the rise of populist extremism and its increasing distrust of democratic institutions, particularly election processes; barely a mention of the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions. There is no mention of ISIS obviously. Lee's focus is on Al Qaeda (remember that?).
- He's also rather elitist. The best and the brightest must be prioritised. He's suspicious of welfare spending and typically obsessed with debt and deficit. Very neoliberal economically. Also rather anti unions, government-owned enterprises, and fiscal stimulus. ‘Human beings are not born equal’ he says at one point.
- So they are the weak bits. On China Lee is much better. He argues it needs to be treated with respect and a good deal of listening. Invited in as an equal partner in a big power conversation.
- He's also excellent on India and its smothering bureaucracy and corruption. It desperately needs higher infrastructure development - roads, ports, railways, airports, etc, and needs to become an industrial power, not confined to services like IT. It's a country that's bogged down in so many ancient ways despite so much promise.
- Unlike the US he sees Saudi Arabia for what it is - as the source of fundamentalist Islam and a threat to peace in the Middle East. But he's wrong on Iraq and Iran, totally supportive of US policy and prejudice.
- He provides an excellent perspective on Russia - a 'decaying society', and is lukewarm towards the EU. (Every time he mentions the EU the editors add [European Union] afterwards! So American and quaint.
- His chapter on globalisation is superb. He's a strong supporter of free trade, immigration, and technology, and resists the growing international pressures for border closures and retreats into isolation and protectionism.
- In today's world we could do with more clear and authoritative thinkers and leaders like Lee Kuan Yew. In so many ways this book is a tonic.
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