The Achilles Heel of Nations
States are formed in the political scheme of power as envisaged by human beings. Previously there were kingdoms, fiefdoms, empires and more. Whatever the label, political entities are strong statements of unity and control under a declared culture, way of society, a dynamic personality of aruler or dynastic rulers, religion, trading hub or federation of smaller states. Singapore, now a modern city state of a Republic, was part of the British Empire for many years. Eighty years ago, on 15 February, colonial troops surrendered to the Japanese Imperial Army, which had quickly conquered the Malayan peninsular after the attack on Pearl Harbour in Hawaii. ( On 19 February that same year, 1942, the Japanese air force bombed Darwin). The British had concentrated their defences in Singapore facing south towards the sea, instead of also providing for defences along the island's north. This was a lesson of Achilles Heel that was learnt at much c...