A Middle East war. A Beijing visit. A midterm election. Three things that have no business happening at the same time - and yet, here we are! Steven Okun  was at the  East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore  yesterday working through all of it - Iran's ripple effects, where China fits into an increasingly crowded US foreign policy agenda, and the electoral pressures shaping every move Washington makes right now. The big question hanging over the room: is Trump'

As part of The Nanson’s ongoing geopolitical series, we had the opportunity to take part in a timely and thought-provoking discussion examining the shifting nature of global order—and what it means for businesses and investors today. The conversation, led by Bilahari Kausikan and centered around his best-selling book “The Myth of the Asian Century,”  explored a fundamental idea: that we are not entering a new or unprecedented era, but rather returning to a more historically t

In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we were pleased to host a timely and thought-provoking webinar exploring a critical question for today’s workforce: will artificial intelligence help propel women forward—or risk setting them back? Titled “The New Gender Divide: How AI Could Propel Women Forward – or Set Them Back,”  the session brought together insightful perspectives from across APAC Advisors, featuring Senior Advisor for Responsible Investment Megan Willis, along

The benefits of AI may arrive in the future — but the costs are being paid now. While AI holds the promise of significant societal upside, its environmental footprint and workforce impacts are immediate. That imbalance is likely to drive further disruption unless it is addressed deliberately and early. A key part of this conversation is the green AI paradox  — and it was great to see APAC Advisors Senior Advisor Megan Willis  bring her deep expertise on the social impacts of

In the Trump 2.0 era, government relations and public relations can no longer operate in silos. One year into President Trump’s return to office, the central challenge for public affairs and communications leaders in Asia is internalising a new geopolitical reality — one where America First policies and US–China dynamics directly shape reputational risk and business outcomes. In a recent private briefing held in APAC Advisors’ capacity as senior advisors to Edelman, APAC Advi

n a world shaped by geopolitics, trade, and AI, career paths are anything but linear. During a guest lecture at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun shared how trade negotiations play out in the real world — and what that means for businesses navigating global complexity. The conversation also turned to career advice for students interested in international relations. Three themes stood out: the importance of making yourself unique

Geopolitics is increasingly shaping what responsible AI looks like in practice. In a recent guest lecture with ESSEC Business School’s Asia-Pacific cohort in Singapore, APAC Advisors explored how geopolitical forces are pushing businesses and investors to confront the Responsible AI trilemma — emissions, job displacement, and inequality. The discussion highlighted a growing recognition among business leaders that responsible AI is no longer optional. It is being driven by rea

“China comes to the world” is no longer a future scenario — it’s already underway. As Chinese companies move beyond EVs into robotics, advanced manufacturing, and Physical AI, their ability to combine software, hardware, and scale is positioning them to compete globally. Companies that have succeeded in China’s complex, fragmented domestic market are increasingly well placed to expand into growth regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe — sooner rathe

What does Year 2 of Trump 2.0 mean for markets, geopolitics, and the global order?In the latest Second Term Trump discussion at The Nanson, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun In the latest Second Term Trump  discussion at The Nanson, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun joined Taimur Baig and Ethan Wu to unpack the macro picture — from why the US and China remain globally dominant, to why AI is set to become a central issue in upcoming US midterms. The discussion highlighted a surprising

AI: More Excited or Concerned? Reflections from a Guest Lecture at Elon University APAC Advisors recently hosted a guest lecture with students from Elon University’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business during their visit to Singapore, centred on a simple but revealing question: are students more excited or more concerned about artificial intelligence? For many of the students, this was their first structured discussion on AI beyond the technology itself. The conversati

Make Yourself Unique: Geopolitics and Global Careers in an Uncertain World APAC Advisors recently joined graduate students from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the Johns Hopkins University–Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies for a guest lecture on how geopolitics is shaping global careers. The discussion reflected how far geopolitics has moved beyond traditional policy analysis. Today, it influences business strateg

At  The Nanson , we went behind the scenes of Hollywood. No soundbites, just an honest look at an industry being reshaped by streaming platforms and the growing influence of AI. Steve had the pleasure of moderating a conversation with his friend  Brunson Green  -- Academy Award–nominated producer for THE HELP -- and someone who knows the industry beyond the glossy headlines. The conversation took some personal turns, including stories about life with his husband, Jason Collin

Provided the lunch keynote for the  Nomura  ASEAN+ Conference 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.  This kicks-off my speaker series focusing on Year 2 of Trump 2 and how the US midterms will impact geopolitics.  One key area to watch: Trump focusing domestically on affordability, which can impact both domestic policies and tariffs, while his also being even less constrained internationally.  Great discussion with  Euben Paracuelles  following his keynote and thanks to Amy Ng and  Linda Nga

Trade Uncertainties Challenge for Manufacturers Globally Thanks to  AMCHAM Malaysia (American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce)  for bringing Steve to Penang to lead an in-depth discussion connecting the front page to the business section for its members there. While entering the second year of Trump brings clarity the former global rules-based trading system will not come back, uncertainties still abound, including whether the US and China will reach a deal to reduce tariffs, h

The First AI Election: What the 2026 Midtetms Will Mean for the US — And Why It Matters in Asia For Steve's session with  AmCham HK  today, he discussed how AI will be central to the US elections, and what lessons that may bring for businesses and investors in Asia.  Great to be joined by  Delicia T.  of  Edelman  to discuss how communications and public affairs must become more integrated, and thanks to Eden Woon who moderated the discussion.

At a moment when business, politics, and global risk are converging,  Steven Okun  joined  The Quinntessential Questions Podcast with Paul Quinn  to explore what it really takes to lead in Asia. Steven reflects on how a journey that began on Bill Clinton’s campaign took him from Washington to Singapore - from opening China for UPS to helping shape the early foundations of ESG in Asia long before it became mainstream. The episode explores the biggest aviation case in U.S. hist

The “S” in ESG has never been more complex, or more important. On November 17th in Hong Kong, APAC Advisors CEO  Steven Okun  moderated a panel at the  Mergermarket   Asian Venture Capital Journal (AVCJ)  Private Equity Forum - unpacking how the AI trilemma, rising enforcement risk, and shifting global trade norms are redefining what responsible investment actually looks like in practice. From the job-loss and inequality impacts of AI to the intensifying scrutiny on supply ch

Steven Okun moderated Trump 2.0: The Great Disruption Year at The Nanson - featuring Deborah Elms, Taimur Baig and Ethan Wu, From “T.O.T.U.S" (Trade Outside the U.S.) to what one speaker called “a great moment of incoherence,” the conversation dove straight into how Trump 2.0 has turned global trade into something deeply personal. The U.S. isn’t running on policy so much as personality - decisions made on instinct, not institutions. China, meanwhile, is rewriting its own rule

Trump 2.0 Beyond Borders – What It Means for Fiji and the Region AmCham Fiji hosted a hybrid event with former U.S. government official and geopolitical analyst  Steven Okun  of  APAC Advisors (Singapore)  and Head of External Affairs for the  American Association of the Indo-Pacific . He joined us for an engaging in-person briefing in Nadi. The session, “Trump 2.0 Beyond Borders: Geopolitical Risks and Opportunities for Businesses and Investors,” explored how shifting U.S.–C

The Unchecked Leader: Why Great Decisions Demand Checks, Balances, and Empathy — with Steve Okun When the stakes are high, one mind isn’t enough.In this episode of Decisions That Count , neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson  and biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien  sit down with Steven “Steve” Okun —ranked #2 on LinkedIn for Geopolitics & International Relations  in Singapore (Favikon, July 2025)—to explore why the best leaders design decision systems : collaboration, diverse perspectiv