NOT AN ALLY

Every once in a while I'm reminded that Singapore is not actually a U.S. ally.

S'pore, US working on security framework
Republic will deepen defence links, though not as an ally
SINGAPORE is negotiating a 'strategic security framework' with the United States to deepen its defence ties with Washington, even as US President George W. Bush announced a reshuffling of troops in Asia.

Singapore operates what is a de facto U.S. naval base, which has permanent staff (many of whom have a great supply of fine Dominican duty-free cigars). It has sent support to Afghanistan. It joined the "coalition of the willing" to liberate Iraq, and also sent troops to back up its support for the endeavor. It has offered
cooperation from what is probably the best intelligence network in Southeast Asia. It has argued against Indonesia and Malaysia in an attempt to get permission for the U.S. to patrol the Malacca and Singapore straits for terrorist and pirate activities.

But it's not an ally.

Partly this is just diplomacy. Singapore is part of the 'non-aligned' movement. It tries not to upset the Asian growth engine that is China. And being an 'official' U.S. Ally may upset Malaysia and Indonesia (even though the former is pretty much a 'de facto' ally as well. Even when Moonbat Mahathir was complaining that Jews ruled the world, Malaysia was privately helpful and supportive of the US efforts against the Islamofascists).

I'm not sure if Saudi Arabia is still considered an 'ally' or just a 'friend.' But I know of one ally that actively tried to keep Saddam in power, has dedicated itself to preventing American hegemony and has even gone as far as joining in 'traditional' Chinese war games on the eve of a Taiwanese election (which usually were just a unilateral threat by China). It has also been the driving force to have EU arms sanctions against China lifted – even though that would mean selling weapons that could be used against Taiwan (and probably the US).

As 'ally' in diplomat speak has increasingly become a synonym for 'enemy,' I'm somewhat glad that Singapore has decided not to be a U.S. ally.