Tom Benner is a freelance journalist based in Singapore. His recent work has been published by Al Jazeera English, Nikkei Asian Review, Global Post, Christian Science Monitor, the Atlantic, the Straits Times, Today, Japan Today. He writes a monthly column on life in Singapore for Mainichi Weekly, and is an elected member of the Singapore Press Club management committee. Previously he worked in the US as an opinion page editor and statehouse bureau chief. He has taught journalism at the college and polytechnic levels in the US and in Singapore.