The Editor’s Beat: Navigating a World in Flux

In the quiet of a Singaporean evening, it is easy to feel that global conflicts are worlds away. But as the rhetoric in the Middle East escalates and the shadow of war between Iran and the US looms larger, the distance between the Gulf and our shores has suddenly vanished.

This week, the effects of the conflict arrived at our doorstep in the form of surging oil prices and emergency alerts. With Brent crude jumping nearly 8 per cent to almost US$100 a barrel and threats of it hitting US$200 if blockades continue, the economic ripples are reaching us.

From higher electricity bills to fuel surcharges on our ferry rides, the “uncertain world” SMS Murali Pillai spoke of in the post-Budget dialogue by Narpani Pearavai on March 11 is no longer a theoretical concept. It is our current reality.

Yet, amidst this volatility, there are stories of profound reassurance.

I was particularly moved by the accounts of those who were evacuated from Riyadh by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

There is something uniquely Singaporean – and deeply comforting – about the image of military officers calmly pushing meal carts and serving families thousands of kilometres away from home. It is a side of service we rarely see, but one that defines our “Welcome Home”.

On board Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft repatriation flight from Riyadh to Singapore. The plane touched down at Changi Airport at 6.02am on March 11, 2026.

PHOTO: MINDEF

As Manpower Minister Tan See Leng noted on March 12, while we have multiple lines of defence for our energy security, we must expect electricity prices to increase. The government is stepping in with higher U-Save rebates, but as a community, our role is different.

Our role is to remain courageous and calm. It means staying informed without succumbing to panic. Being calm means adapting – whether by being more energy-efficient or simply by looking out for a neighbour who might be struggling with the rising costs of living.

Singapore has navigated external shocks before. We adapt, we don’t fray, and we certainly don’t break. As we watch the headlines, let us remember the calm of those RSAF soldiers at the foot of the aircraft. That is the spirit we must carry forward: prepared for the worst, but at our best when the pressure is on.