The Shangri-La Dialogue brings out the power of a uniform – and fried dumplings
- Military regalia transforms otherwise ordinary people into major players – at least until the tea breaks
- Behind the scenes, the media fight for limited resources
For the layperson, or the average hardworking reporter, entering a room full of soldiers, defence chiefs and their posse of thinkers, analysts and advisers is like stepping into an episode of The West Wing.
It could well be some kind of “uniform” complex but put together everyday people in blazers with a few strips of ribbons and rank badges, and suddenly the collective energy in the ballrooms and corridors of the Shangri-La hotel becomes palpable.
Well, that is until you take a good look and notice a few of them stuffing their faces with fried dumplings at the tea breaks between talks about “multilateralism”, “maritime laws” and “regional security”.
Do they take themselves too seriously? Maybe. Do they have access to a button that can change the world? Likely.
That is why the region’s defence personnel descend on the luxury hotel in Singapore’s glitzy Orchard area each year to debate and contest ideas about conflicts and how to avoid them.