• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
DemocracyIran
  • Donate
{
  "authors": [
    "Evan A. Feigenbaum"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "asia",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "AP",
  "programs": [
    "Asia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "East Asia",
    "China",
    "Southeast Asia"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}

Source: Getty

In The Media

U.S.-Asia Relations: Role of Lee Kuan Yew

Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew played an important role in keeping the United States anchored in Asia.

Link Copied
By Evan A. Feigenbaum
Published on Mar 29, 2015
Program mobile hero image

Program

Asia

The Asia Program in Washington studies disruptive security, governance, and technological risks that threaten peace, growth, and opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region, including a focus on China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula.

Learn More

Source: CNBC

Speaking on CNBC, Carnegie’s Evan Feigenbaum argued that the United States has faced several points of crisis in Southeast Asia over the last couple of decades, and Lee Kuan Yew played an integral role in keeping the United States anchored in the region. He added that although there is no doubt that Chinese leaders look to Singapore as a model worth emulating, comparing China to Singapore is problematic for multiple reasons.  

This interview was originally broadcast by CNBC.

About the Author

Evan A. Feigenbaum

Vice President for Studies

Evan A. Feigenbaum is vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he oversees work at its offices in Washington, New Delhi, and Singapore on a dynamic region encompassing both East Asia and South Asia. He served twice as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and advised two Secretaries of State and a former Treasury Secretary on Asia.

    Recent Work

  • Commentary
    Is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Performance Art or Meaningful Collaboration?

      Evan A. Feigenbaum

  • Commentary
    In Its Iran War Debate, Washington Has Lost the Plot in Asia

      Evan A. Feigenbaum

Evan A. Feigenbaum
Vice President for Studies
Evan A. Feigenbaum
Foreign PolicyEast AsiaChinaSoutheast Asia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

  • Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    Taking the Pulse: Can Europe Fund Ukraine Without Russian Assets?

    A sizeable funding shortfall looks increasingly likely to hit Ukraine in 2027. Can the Europeans, with their strained budgets and economies, come up with the cash without seizing frozen Russian assets?

      • Rym Momtaz

      Rym Momtaz, ed.

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    How Realistic Is a U.S.-Brokered Gas Deal Between Russia and the EU?

    A gas deal would create palpable economic value, but it wouldn’t fundamentally change the position of either Russia or the EU.

      • Sergey Vakulenko

      Sergey Vakulenko

  • Commentary
    Strategic Europe
    No, A Democratic Congress Won’t Save Europe

    A blue wave has swept over the U.S. midterms, with Democrats regaining control of both houses of Congress. But Europeans hoping for a return to business as usual should think again.

      • Rym Momtaz

      Rym Momtaz

  • Research
    Escaping an Escalatory Spiral: Can Europe Avoid a War With Russia?

    Nobody in the Kremlin fancies a fight with the whole European continent. Instead, the Russian leadership would be likely to opt for a short, targeted strike.

      Maksim Samorukov

  • Trump sitting at a desk next to a red hat that says VETO
    Commentary
    Emissary
    After the Midterm Rout, Can Trump Change Course Without Giving Up Tariffs?

    Even if the administration maintains its broader trade policy, it should use tariffs more strategically and work with U.S. partners, not against them.

      • Barbara Weisel

      Barbara Weisel

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie This Week
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie This Week
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.