YCAPS hosted three Happy Hours from 29 May to 1 June, on Friday and Saturday from 6-9PM, and Sunday from 3-6PM at Muddy Murphy’s Irish Pub, bringing together an impressive group of diplomats, military personnel, academics, journalists, and everyone who wasn’t invited to the ministerial meetings to discuss the future of the world – over a couple of pints, naturally.
At the Happy Hour, the real show began. Attendees exchanged live commentary on the Shangri-La Dialogue, sharing initial impressions and reactions that would eventually be turned into narratives, arguments, and opinions – essentially the ‘news before the news’. Topics discussed included Pete Hegseth’s normal speech and the importance of PT; Emmanuel Macron’s speech and Europe’s apparent continental drift from regional realities; Anwar Ibrahim’s speech and Malaysia’s time as chair of ASEAN; as well as conversations surrounding the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine wars and their perceptions in the region. The absence of China and the presence of Zhou Bo were noted, along with reflections on individual panels, the format of the Shangri-La Dialogue overall, the US-Japan alliance, Hong Kong, and the Myanmar conflict.
The Happy Hour also incorporated some local Singapore and maritime flair. Conversations touched on policing, crime, and vice in Singapore; real estate; public service pension plans; the shipping industry and reforms; life on tankers and submarines; and a maritime heritage tour for the Navy community.
Some attendees visited the Shangri-La Hotel lobby during the Dialogue. The Hotel, situated amidst residential high-rises, hosted a large journalist contingent camped out at the entrance and the second-floor atrium. Due to security measures, much of the lobby space was roped off, with journalists and attendees occupying the area. Non-attendees were somewhat limited in access – those without a pass often found something else to do and disappeared within 30 minutes. Some hotel residents appeared unaware of the ongoing event.
