Disinformation, influence, and hybrid threats: thoughts from Singapore.

This article examines Singapore's comprehensive approach to countering disinformation and state-sponsored foreign interference, focusing on legal frameworks such as the Prevention from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) and the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA), which address hostile information campaigns and clandestine foreign influence. It situates Singapore's efforts within a broader global context of hybrid threats, including economic coercion amid US-China geopolitical rivalry, and highlights challenges posed by emerging technologies like generative AI. The article also discusses non-legal measures such as societal resilience, national identity reinforcement, and the role of non-governmental organizations in combating disinformation. Additionally, it surveys international legislative and institutional responses to foreign interference, as well as economic security measures including foreign direct investment screening, illustrating how states seek to safeguard sovereignty in an era of asymmetric and hybrid warfare.