EDITOR'S CORNER: Fighting for Democracy and Order

This week has been a whirlwind of events that highlight just how fast and fractured the world has become. From a surprising election win in Romania to a tense phone call between Trump and Putin, and Netanyahu’s alarming announcement on Gaza, the news cycle is relentless—and it reveals deeper, unsettling shifts beneath the surface. These headlines aren’t isolated incidents; they’re symptoms of a global order unraveling before our eyes, and a democracy under siege from populism, nationalism, and growing instability.

With all of this happening, I thought it was a good moment to take a step back and look at the bigger picture — the deeper issues behind these headlines: global order and the state of democracy. We'll explore the growing threats to democratic institutions, and the increasing sense of global instability.

 WHAT TOOK 80 YEARS TO BUILD FELL IN MONTHS

What many of us — the general public, experts, and global leaders alike — are beginning to openly acknowledge is that the global order we've relied on for the past eighty years is effectively gone. The post-World War II framework that aimed to uphold stability, cooperation, and liberal democracy has unraveled, and there’s no clear replacement waiting in the wings. For decades, it offered a sense of predictability — flawed, yes, but functional. That era is over.

A major force driving this shift is Trump, who isn’t just disrupting norms — he’s bulldozing them. Alliances are being questioned, treaties abandoned, and trust between nations is eroding in real time. His “America First” stance marks a dramatic departure from multilateralism, sending shockwaves through the international system. He’s exposing just how fragile the global order truly is — and how quickly it can fall apart when a leader decides he’s no longer bound by it.

Layered on top of this is a broader, more alarming trend: the rising threat to democracy itself. Across continents, far-right movements have surged in popularity, often fueled by fear, nationalism, and misinformation. What used to be fringe ideologies are now winning elections and reshaping policy. Democracies are crumbling — not in dramatic coups, but slowly, from within, as institutions are weakened and norms discarded. The result is a world that feels less stable, less democratic, and far more uncertain than it did even a decade ago.

So let’s take a closer look at how global order and democracy are the cornerstones of our Western world — and how their collapse could disrupt not only our own future, but that of generations to come. 

GLOBAL DISORDER

I wrote an extensive blog post here about the changing world order. You can read it here. However, let's look in short at what it is.

In the aftermath of World War II, the global landscape underwent a dramatic transformation. The war’s end in 1945 left much of Europe and Asia in ruins, and two major powers emerged to shape the new world order: the United States and the Soviet Union. These superpowers represented opposing ideologies—capitalist democracy in the case of the U.S., and communist authoritarianism under the Soviet regime. This ideological conflict gave rise to the Cold War, a period of intense geopolitical tension, military rivalry, and proxy conflicts that lasted for decades. The world found itself divided by the so-called Iron Curtain, as countries aligned themselves either with the Western bloc, led by the United States and its NATO allies, or with the Eastern bloc, led by the Soviet Union.

Although the Cold War formally ended in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union, its legacy still influences global politics. Today, many Western nations—primarily in North America, Western Europe, and parts of East Asia—uphold values such as liberal democracy, individual freedoms, and open-market economies. In contrast, countries often seen as counterweights to Western influence—such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea—tend to emphasize state control, nationalism, and limited political freedoms. 

Today’s world is less divided than during the Cold War, with many countries balancing ties between Western and rising non-Western powers. This flexibility brings challenges, especially as emerging superpowers like China—now surpassing Russia—challenge U.S. dominance, creating a more unpredictable and multipolar global landscape.

 CONFLICTS FUELLED BY DISORDER

One of the challenges facing the modern world is the loss of centralized control over global conflict. During much of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union, despite their rivalry, acted as stabilizing forces in their own spheres of influence. Though war has always existed—and likely always will—conflicts in the past were often localized and involved limited regional actors. Today, however, we’re witnessing multiple flashpoints around the world that have the potential to escalate dramatically: a full-scale war in Europe with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an increasingly devastating conflict in Gaza, and the looming possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

This state of global disorder has created a dangerous environment where powerful nations and regional players feel emboldened to act with fewer constraints. Israel, for example, appears to be pursuing its military objectives in Gaza with little restraint, partly because global attention is divided by simultaneous crises involving China and Russia. With strong backing from the United States, Israel is unlikely to face serious international pressure. This lack of accountability could lead to broader regional instability, especially considering past tensions with Iran, Egypt, and Turkey. Israel also engaged in skirmishes with Hezbollah in Lebanon just last year, and that situation remains volatile.

Meanwhile, India and Pakistan continue to experience their own tensions, particularly following terrorist attacks in Kashmir. India is often overlooked in discussions about global alliances, but it is an emerging superpower with one of the world’s largest and most capable militaries. Its intelligence services are formidable, and its strategic posture—especially regarding Pakistan—is assertive. 

India is a geopolitical wildcard; while it maintains partnerships with both Western and non-Western powers, it has historically pursued a non-aligned or neutral stance. Should a major global conflict arise—perhaps involving NATO on one side and a Russia-China bloc on the other—India's decision to stay neutral or align with a side could be pivotal. With over 1.2 million active troops and nearly 900,000 in reserve, India’s involvement would significantly alter the global balance of power.

Similarly, Turkey occupies a critical and complex position in global politics. As a NATO member straddling both Europe and Asia, Turkey balances its Western alliances with growing ties to Russia and other regional powers. Its strategic location and strong military make it a key player in Middle Eastern and Eurasian affairs. However, Turkey’s increasingly independent foreign policy and regional ambitions—especially in Syria, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Caucasus—sometimes put it at odds with traditional Western partners. Like India, Turkey’s choices in a potential global conflict could significantly influence regional stability and the broader balance of power.

 

 LET'S TALK ABOUT RUSSIA AND CHINA

I’m covering Russia and China together because this post is already long, and I’ve addressed much of this before. It’s clear that these two countries are aligned, but China is the real heavyweight while Russia plays the role of an unstable, struggling sibling. China isn’t interested in Europe or even Russia—they have their sights set firmly on Taiwan. When the time is right, they will move to take control of the island, which they consider rightfully theirs. The U.S. will be forced to intervene, sparking a serious conflict that could escalate quickly. China may also try to reclaim territory in Russia’s Far East, such as parts of the old Manchurian region.

Russia, meanwhile, is constantly probing NATO for weaknesses, searching for any cracks to exploit. Putin is no fool—he knows he can’t confront NATO directly. Instead, his strategy is to weaken the alliance from within, hoping to fracture Europe’s security network. If NATO breaks down, Europe will be left fragmented and vulnerable, with individual countries scrambling to protect their own interests. Without a strong, unified front or alternatives to NATO and American backing, Europe risks descending into instability.

This tense dynamic, combined with Trump’s aggressive trade war against China and his attempts to “manage” Russia, pushes the world dangerously closer to a global conflict. With Europe potentially left behind and these two powers growing bolder, the risk of a wider war has never been higher. If we don’t address these challenges head-on, the consequences for global security could be catastrophic.

CAN EUROPE DEFEND ITSELF?

Europe’s ability to defend itself without the United States may seem uncertain, for now. However, it has the potential to change—if European countries finally stand together. For too long, Europe has relied heavily on U.S. military strength and leadership through NATO, but the current challenges posed by Russia’s aggression and China’s rising influence are forcing Europe to rethink its defense strategy. 

While individual militaries—like those of Germany, Britain, and France—have often been fragmented and underfunded, a united Europe is now beginning to pool resources, improve coordination, and build a powerful, independent defense capability. The crucial factor is political will and a genuine commitment to collective security. Once that happens, Europe can become a formidable force able to protect its own interests without relying on the U.S. However, southern and western European countries still need to step up and fully get on board. While northern and Baltic nations are taking a strong stance against Russia and Putin—strengthening their defenses and building resilient armies—much of the rest of Europe is still lagging behind.

Russia is already testing Europe’s resolve, probing for weaknesses and hoping to exploit any cracks in unity. But if Europe stands firm and deepens its cooperation, it can shut down those opportunities. A strong, united Europe would not only deter aggression but also reduce dependence on external powers, carving out a truly independent path in global affairs. By investing in military strength, fostering political cohesion, and developing strategic partnerships, Europe can not only survive but thrive as a confident global player. 

 

 CONCLUSION 

The global order that shaped the world for decades is unraveling fast, exposing deep fractures in democracy, security, and international cooperation. Rising authoritarianism, growing conflicts, and shifting power dynamics make today’s world more fragile and unpredictable than ever.

Yet, this moment also presents an opportunity for nations everywhere to rethink alliances, strengthen cooperation, and build independent capacities to protect their interests. The future of global stability depends on bold choices and united action across continents. 

The world must adapt—or risk chaos on an unprecedented scale!