Asian perspectives of the US have shifted from a country once perceived as a force of "moral legitimacy" to something akin to "a landlord seeking rent," Singapore's defense chief said on the sidelines of an international security meeting.One example is that from the time of President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address more than 60 years ago, the image of the US was of a country that would not allow tyranny such as colonial control to be replaced by another form of tyranny. Now "the image has changed from liberator to great disruptor to a landlord seeking rent," according to a prepared text of his remarks posted on a government website over the weekend.

The geopolitical readjustments away from the US keep coming. The idea that the US can act like an international bully and still maintain its leadership with so many allies is misguided. https://t.co/HEYNeQT4Wa

" Lionel Page (@page_eco) February 16, 2025