Summary
The article discusses the changing nature of global politics, where traditional Western foreign policies based on power and norms are no longer effective. It suggests that Western countries need a more practical approach that aligns their values with their capacities and focuses resources on essential outcomes. The piece highlights the shift towards more competitive global relations, with countries like Russia and China playing significant roles.
Key Facts
- The global political landscape has become more competitive and less rule-based.
- Western foreign policy has traditionally relied on the belief that power, norms, and legitimacy worked together.
- Recent developments show that Russia has prioritized military actions, and China has tightened control over strategic areas.
- Western strategies, based on globalization and economic integration, have proven fragile in moderating rival behaviors.
- Countries are seeing the need to diversify their economic and diplomatic relationships to reduce dependency on major powers.
- Historical interventions in Iraq and Libya illustrate the failures of policies driven by moral objectives without strategic planning.
- Supporting Ukraine is seen as both a moral obligation and a strategic necessity for maintaining European stability.
