Defense spending, China in Asia and lessons from Ukraine: Takeways from the 2026 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - MAY 29: Police officers stand on patrol during the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue at the Shangri-La Hotel on May 29, 2026 in Singapore. Senior defence officials and military leaders from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond convene at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore for the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, one of Asia's premier track-one intergovernmental security forums. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images) Ezra Acayan | Getty Images News | Getty Images Defense spending, China's position in the Asia-Pacific region and lessons from Ukraine were just some of the topics dominating the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue this year. The summit sees top world leaders, defense officials and key executives gathering in Singapore from May 29 to 31. Here are some of our key takeaways: Defense spending Countries appear to have generally accepted the premise that they'll need to spend more on their own defense. Nations like Japan , the Philippines and the Netherlands are planning increases in allocations there. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in his remarks Saturday that countries should be spending at least 3.5% of their GDP on defense. Even the likes of New Zealand , which falls below the 3.5% mark, is boosting its spending in that area. U.S. President Donald Trump has pressed the idea for years and was initially met with consternation from many countries. Now many of them are embracing it, at least publicly. …