In 1802, Thomas Jefferson declared: "A spirit of justice and friendly accommodation is our duty and interest to cultivate with all nations." Senior leaders should obtain relevant information about the country of Singapore and the significant importance of the U.S.-Singapore relationship as the military has shifted its forces and structure to focus on the Asia-Pacific region in the years to come. This article will cover the background, government structure, strategic importance and future direction of Singapore. General Information Singapore is an island located in Southeast Asia and founded by the British East India Company in 1819. Singapore began as a British colony, joined the Malaysian Federation and became independent in 1963. The island has a population of approximately 4.7 million and is located at the narrow point of the Strait of Malacca, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. The main island is 42 kilometers long and 23 kilometers wide, with a coastline extending 138 kilometers (Congress, nd). The climate is tropical and the terrain is mostly flat with scattered hills. The highest elevation is approximately 540 feet. Chinese makes up the majority of Singapore's population and the main language is Malay. “Economic prosperity and political stability are associated with national culture, as is the Singaporean concept kiasu which means fear of losing” (Brogger, nd). There are five stars on the national flag of Singapore, which represent justice, equality, democracy, peace and progress (Central Intelligence Agency). Singapore's culture resembles several Asian values ​​such as an emphasis on respecting elders and putting country and society first. Singapore... middle of article... Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved from https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RS20490.pdfJefferson, T. (1802, December 15). Second Annual Message to Congress. Yale Law School. Retrieved from http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/jeffmes2.asp.The Library of Congress. (nd). Country studies: Singapore. Retrieved from http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sgtoc.html Ranasinghe, D (February 9, 2014). Singapore, the small state with military power. CNBC. Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/id/101393982Singapore Economic Development Board (September 15, 2012). Singapore Ready for the Future: Facts and Rankings. Retrieved from http://www.edb.gov.sg/content/edb/en/why-singapore/about-singapore/facts-and-rankings/facts.html.Wood, J. (2014, March 6). Singapore, the next Silicone Valley? CNBC. Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/id/101470869.