From the Archives - Richard Nixon and Lee Kuan Yew Discuss Contemporary Foreign Policy Issues (1985)

[@tidursini]

I was reading my ex Prime Minister’s Lee Kuan Yew’s autobigraphy many years ago (he is the founding father of Singapore). He met every US President from Lyndon B Johnson to Barack Obama, and he died in 2015. When asked who is the greatest US President that he has met, he said it was Nixon. I was a little shocked because all I knew about Nixon at that time was Watergate. Having seen his video interviews, I now know why Lee had that impression. Nixon was far ahead of his time.

[@AuntieShineDaily]

Same for me as one of the "younger" Asians. From history book used in our school, it only mentions the worst of Nixon.

[@jameslu2332]

Compared to JFK, Nixon was far ahead as a President while JFK spent too much time chasing women.

[@thesexygrandpacollective]

Nixon did some diabolical shit

[@killharry]

@@AuntieShineDailyit’s the same in my country

[@Cleisthenes607]

5:00 He knew even then that in 40 years China would be a modern strong power. The man's insights were second to none.

[@pendragonscode]

It was said that through PM Lee's encouragement of ending isolationism that caused china's economy to open up.

[@marianoospina9518]

LKY said that it was Deng Xiaoping that led the way of China to become more open post-Mao. LKY understood it was beneficial to help support China in this endeavor as it would help balance the power with Russia, as well as a stronger, more open China would provide ripple effects to growing SE Asia.

[@JIANGTG]

World-class statesman ! Raise my hat to Lee Kuan Yew... ..

[@Anastacia933]

LKY always speaks without referring to any script. Admire his brilliant mind. Inspiring man. Hero of Singaporeans.

[@Teo-wb9yp]

Two great men discuss the situation of the world at the turning point of world history. President Nixon (together with his Secretary of State Dr Henry Kissinger) engaging the PRC regime proactively. This eventually led to the fall of Berlin wall and the collapse of the USSR and opening up the door of modern China. Very rare footage. Thank you for putting this up on KZbin.

[@enkii82]

China opened the door of modern China before that.. it started in the late 70s / early 80s.

[@patrickshenton769]

Nixon's visit to China in 1972 resulted in the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989? What a strange connection you make. You're obviously no historian or international relations expert. Just a random KZbin poster trying to sound smart.

[@Teo-wb9yp]

The connection is not strange. Following the visit, US changed its recognition of Taipei-China to Beijing-China in 1979. This China-US Relations has been regarded by world leaders and academics as the most important bilateral relation of the century. With the demise of Mao Tze-Tong and rise of Deng Xiao-Ping, China opens it door to US and the rest of the world to begin its market economy reform.

[@xandercorp6175]

+Patrick Shenton Do you really have no response? I am ashamed for you.

[@laopang91362]

Anyone wants to pick LKY's brilliant brain, please do not interrupt.

[@suportm782]

Wow fantastic interview. The two smartest leaders I've long admired. The points made by both are very salient!

[@alexhe7512]

Lee Kwan Yew might be closest to a modern day Taoist leader idesl of 内圣外王 (inner sainthood and outer kingship), talking like a pensive philosopher, acting like a determined commander.

[@springgal265]

😆

[@TRNSL8]

Nailed it.

[@jonathanwong1805]

@5:50 stupid reporter just cut off LKY before he can even finish his sentence

[@dylanloh5327]

The reporter is such interrupter. LKY did well in his analysis of the situation.

[@sinkingfish123]

so surprised such a report could still keep his job with such a shameful performance.

[@chankk3432]

Jonathan Wong jjet le

[@APOCALYPSE_X-MEN]

Time constraints.

[@Dragon-gl1rw]

Because he talks rubbish, that is why the reporter cut him off.

[@ranban282]

Valid points from the Singapore PM. Interesting that Nixon talks about "refugees coming in", but tried to sabotage India when she was faced with the same problems.

[@DenisPopov888]

Great talk - Mr. Nixon is so smart!

[@minhtri649]

For God sake, please let Mr Lee finishes his sentence! A very rude interviewer!

[@jamieholtsclaw2305]

Yes. Lee and Nixon are both expansive speakers. Koppel should have budgeted more time for their responses instead of trying to push in more questions.

[@dannytadashi4235]

Yep

[@FrankMcCusker129]

There is a delay in sounds

[@AlfredPartridge]

​@@jamieholtsclaw2305Are you related to Daniel Holtzclaw (a.k.a. Downs Syndrome Danny)? He'll be released in about 190 years, I think.

[@sdprz7893]

4:50 He really predicted the rise of China

[@dream1430]

It’s a pretty obvious conclusion, and you shouldn’t be impressed by something as trivial as that LKY is a great man but China becoming a dominant power was a pretty well regarded assumption during those times You can even see this in the interviewers line of questioning as he mentions the fear the USA had for China, and through LKY answer we are reminded that China was feared enough in terms of political influence to lead to a policy of containment by the United States.

[@songkok7hitam]

what a lousy reporter keep interrupting panels to view out their thoughts.

[@good2freelance1]

Todays reporters even worse ...

[@suyelcfinance]

I am so looking forward to that one day the head of government of mainland China can discuss international affairs with the US president so directly.

[@sko1beer]

it wont be the same this guy was on western TV talking straight at them in the 1960s when it was the norm to have signs outside restaurants and bars in London with signs up saying No dogs no blacks no Chinese

[@4x4r974]

@@sko1beer its ok china today has signs saying no dogs no japanese, or simply no blacks

[@sko1beer]

@@4x4r974 no it doesn't

[@juliensharapov4282]

Amazing !

[@stefano78]

Koppel should not have cut in but it was uncharacteristic of LKY to pause and defer. In older videos I have seem him talk over western counterparts to finish his point. It's possible that at this point in 1985 when he was 61 (young by today's standards) he felt he was losing his edge a little bit leading him to voluntarily step down in 1990 from the PM role (while continuing to serve full time as a senior minister). I watch videos and read a lot about 20th century global leaders, and in my view LKY is at the very top as a leader with a brilliant mind, unwavering conviction, commitment to government integrity and finally full devotion to protecting and growing his country. The only other leader who I think commands similar universal respect is Margaret Thatcher.

[@vasilileung2204]

I also observed Lee don’t usually yield to interruptions. Perhaps he’s being polite here in the presence of a former US president.

[@annechris2677]

Rude reporter

[@xhagast]

@@vasilileung2204 I agree. Nixon was the important guest. He was the local flavor. He tried to impress with his clarity and attention to detail.

[@kylechen57]

12:16 interrupted LKY while saying BS like "I don't want to lose that train of thought" ...and...he immediately turned the interview to Nixon after that interruption earlier. unapologetic and presumptious

[@glennw469]

The reporter is very rude to interrupting Li

[@johnpoulsen7582]

back when politicians were intelligent....

[@YourLocalDoctor]

I don't know man... Richard Nixon DID rob Watergate didn't he?

[@erch3rejc986]

@@YourLocalDoctor that's nothing compared to what happens nowadays.

[@mengelmoesNL]

@@YourLocalDoctor Nixon was smart, but he had lead his weaknesses get to him.

[@aurorahouse8606]

You don't know the situation, do you?

[@haqk4583]

Nixon said one thing right. They underestimated the ability of the South to fight their own fight. Without economic or military aid there was only one inevitable outcome against the Soviet backed VC.

[@TheGreen0arrow]

LKY sounds like a statesman. Nixon sounds like a politician.

[@killharry]

I’m not being confrontational I’m genuinely curious what you mean by that?

[@chinhau8702]

... when you say things that make sense people would listen...

[@djmcnerney]

This episode should be called “HEAVYWEIGHTS.”

[@linessky9406]

Can I say that the two gentlemen seem to speak two different languages? Lee's seems more elegant, old-fashiioned. Is there a reason?

[@tansionghuat3528]

The reason is the flow of nature.

[@derekpederson1952]

Yes. Singapore was under British colonial rule, so Lee is speaking British English, whereas Nixon is speaking American English.

[@yanguYT]

He spoke British English, the Queen's language.

[@hatchegg80]

Cambridge trained lawyer

[@simontay1187]

A heavy human price for the unification of Vietnam from the French colonists. North Vietnam(Communist) and South Vietnam(Capitalist). Singapore makes a lot of money during the Vietnam War resulting in UNHCR at View Road Hospital. 'WHEN TWO BROTHERS FIGHT, THE BYSTANDER STANDS TO GAIN'.

[@laopang91362]

Both leaders were super smart.... today....we see too much BS.

[@Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG]

Unprofessional interviewer…

[@APOCALYPSE_X-MEN]

So being objective is "unprofessional?"

[@tansionghuat3528]

What is the point of engaging both on debate if the interviewer kept interrupting? Wasting my time! We are seeing a lot of interviewers who think they are smart & have much perspertive of the world.

[@jljl8961]

Interviewer keep interrupting. So rude!

[@kienwenchang7108]

A smaller country can't decide the types of political system it wants, and its people can't effectively champion whatever social positions they hope because of one very influential factor : major powers have stakes concerns. Dominant Powers Stakeholders!

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

The reporter needs to shut up. Postpone commercials if it’s an issue. Maybe that should be a policy or something. If a network wants to go longer than usual, letting important guests answer important geopolitical questions in a more longer substantive format, then the government will agree to compensate them for doing so. I realize that could cause some problems but it’s just an idea.

[@emmanueldanielauthor]

LKY reminds us in this video that China was exporting revolution in the 1960s and to great damage in Indonesia. All of us forgot this story saying that China never tried to influence the world.

[@apga1998]

The Chinese also funded the war in Malaya of the 1950's. The great surge of East Asian prosperity really could not get into high gear until the wars ended in 1980. China was behind these revolutionary movements.

[@JoCkey607]

Great damage ? Is that an opinion? They did try to export their revolution to both Indonesia and Malaysia but great damage? Dont forget what colonialism did to Indonesia as well as Indonesia's confrontation war on Malaysia.

[@santo1404]

All along i thought “jakarta method” is authored by CIA not the CCP. Thank you for the great insight.

[@jackknightsbridge5232]

The interviewer kept cutting in, interrupting LKY’s train of thought and as a consequence that of viewers. Really annoying.

[@georgen9755]

Lee Kuan Yew

[@mjourdan]

Wow rare rare footage - haters don't hate, u are just jealous

[@vincentxiao601]

The lag in the communication cue due to satellite transmission maybe the cause of this reporter cutting LKY mid sentence. Amazing that this 3 way dialogue was so smooth way back in the 80s.

[@APOCALYPSE_X-MEN]

It amazes me how young people today talk about the 1980s as if they were the 1920s or something.

[@amelaamelajiang493]

No cry no trouble no..............

[@jackday4529]

It was utterly annoying to see Te Coppel interrupt Mr. Lees train of thought.

[@vincentho3964]

Typical western media interviewer - rude, interruptive and interrogative demeanour. As usual.

[@SugarRoll]

Can anyone imagine this kind interview with CNN or Fox?

[@desmondchee9976]

This reporter doesnt know his job

[@awequayzngs1780]

The interviewer appeared to exert his arrogantly and ambitious oratorial skills.

[@mingyuhuang8944]

This is such rare footage. Although Nixon was a little man compared to lky this was still a great watch. I feel like Nixon speaks a lot of words but very little actuslly mean something haha

[@ShotsMerkzAll]

Strange comment. Nixon is one of the greatest presidents of all time and also incredibly articulate. LKY actually said Nixon was his favourite American leader.

[@amelaamelajiang493]

⭐⭐⭐💫

[@sidmichael1158]

Lky looks old yet he last longer than Nixon.

[@aryorahendra2025]

nixon is 10 years older

[@Henry-teach-Chinese-in-jokes]

I’ve spent about 100,000 hours studying English humor and Western culture, and about 100,000 hours studying Chinese culture. My native language is Chinese. I teach Chinese in humorous way and with cute pictures. Hope somebody recommend my videos to those who want to learn Chinese

[@RicardoOlivares-k4w]

Cut of LKY multiple times. Cut off Nixon and hurried him in his answers. Koppel sounds smooth but he fucked this one up completely.

[@amelaamelajiang493]

Come from the META data

[@huaweihuawei9861]

😢😢

[@amelaamelajiang493]

Belize country give the IT and VET .on line

[@dhana7373]

So will the Snapdragon chip made in Taiwan by TSMC💝

[@dylanloh5327]

The reporter is really super lousy.. why he keep interrupting LKY on every question???

[@amelaamelajiang493]

Identify........... problem

[@ladyofhalos]

Is Nixon reading from a script 😹

[@amelaamelajiang493]

Social security on baord.

[@amelaamelajiang493]

American i do the good but after year loose the management ..the management get trouble . missed

[@bavariasuhl]

the "journalist" wouldnt shut up and let LKY speak -

[@leky1325]

The question is always about China huh

[@DinoMan_6]

They love that word so much.

[@jacquesdelyons3516]

The Richard Nixon Foundation... Nice to see that Watergate money is finally being put to use.

[@amelaamelajiang493]

For army 🪖 brother parade Free down with stained the blood with our general let's fly into battle for the nation flag's of father and crush the enemies is a window to win 🪟✍️🌎 kingdom name shumi Maritsa redeemer saver friend..........son of God Emmanuel Ruma Adonia ..........四.媽祖...see you again .i come you so may times .... heaven come down . .

[@therover65]

Now you have Trump Pompeo Biden Harris 😩

[@sahayatriabiral4145]

Can't wait to hear trump calls😂

[@maliksultan1848]

Watergate

[@kienwenchang7108]

What is political science? I Constantly Struggle To Lower My Respect For The Field of Politics mainly because I want to think like a scientist. I was not able to apply scientific thinking to pure science due to high degree of abstraction. Now, Let's examine how likely more countries in ASEAN would be taken over by communism. Using America's definition of a communist state, the following countries not very likely to become communist states: Malaysia has too many monarchies to trade in for a Republic, Brunei was babysitted by Britain, Singapore was already a Republic and must rely on the west for survival ( couldn't join the communist block), too few Buddhist monarchies remaining, however, Cambodia was a disguise to confuse non-expert observers. Only Immediate Neighbours of Communist China were in play. China couldn't risk some of her neighbours joining the pro-western camp.

[@AlfredPartridge]

I think you are absolutely right, Chinaman. Thailand has been a monarchy for 1000 yrs. India is too massive (though it WAS phuccked by PRC in a 1960s war). Malaysia, as you rightly point out, has around 20 royal families governing it. SG, again as you correctly point out, was already a British military protectorate. And Indonesia was just too far away and too big for PRC to bully (and it also slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Chinese Indonesians in the 60s and PRC was helpless to intervene.) You are quite astute. China is, was, always will be, a paper tiger. A fake superpower. People just don't get it that if the fake takes on the genuine, the fake will be vaporized and be sent hack to the Stone Age. None of the fake's nuke warheads will reach Uncle Sam's territory. None. The fakeys know that. It's all hot air and empty threats. That's all they've ever been good at.

[@Alan-megan]

A head to head by 2 Cunning Foxes !!!!

[@kienwenchang7108]

When countries political movements funded by foreign powers, what currency? One technique only America Able: Oriental religion conspiracy as currency.

[@tikiewel]

Plans to repay Singapore debts ?

[@ochoonda]

What an annoying interviewer. Both interviewees must be fuming!🤔🤣

[@alangoh198]

American behaves this way look at the senators interrogated tick tok before hie could finish his answer they just interrupt which is them bloody rude.

[@TheJayJayYoung]

Nixon was one of the most problematic President of US with Kissinger as his strategist…

[@ribeirojorge5064]

The Ends Never Justify the Means The Means Always Determine the Ends Tirany is the Seed of its Own Destruction !!! The Universe is Not a Hierarchical Pyramid of Mathematic Quantities The Universe is a Holarchic Sphere of Spheres of Consciousness Qualities ❤️ 💚 💜

[@kienwenchang7108]

America Had Too High A Regard For Bangsa Malay To Expect The Malay Commoners Would Catalyze Sociopolitical Change. Malaysia is actually very suitable for white minority to replace Chinese. White Raja, got. White governors, also got. For every Chinese exiting Malaysia, 100 white people coming in.

[@harrylee8151]

Too bad the efforts and reputation is completely destroyed by his dishonorable son which Lee Kuan Yew insistently selfishly want to make as a PM. His son if a duff, neither will Lee Hsien Loong be fit into his caliber

[@rolandong6678]

HARRY LEE Mm

[@yidiandianpang]

Not completely destroyed

[@axeljacob7217]

Complete bullshit.

[@amelaamelajiang493]

God father siad they look exchange 10%is deadline .but blessing 10%is ture from the God father ......we should get this reight to the equity .......... being to the world 🌎 . From message kingdom name shumi Maritsa redeemer saver friend a winner window 🪟

[@amelaamelajiang493]

For army 🪖 brother parade Free down with stained the blood with our general let's fly into battle for the nation flags of father and crush the enemy ...to. Redeemer ........ kingdom name shumi Maritsa redeemer saver friend ........I. Am from tawain I am son of God Emmanuel .Ruma Adonia