Whiplashed middle powers seek new alliances as Trump rages on world stage
While world leaders prepare for annual UN gathering, shifts in the global order continue in the face of a disruptive American president
TL;DR
- Middle powers are reconfiguring their diplomatic, military, and trading alliances to act as shields against a predatory US president.
- This trend is leading to the formation of 'sub-threshold international orders' and a move away from reliance on US grand strategy towards self-defense.
- Alliances not featuring the US, such as Brics and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), are thriving and deepening.
- Recent manifestations include the Mecca pact (Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia) and increasing defense spending and calls for European arms in Europe.
- Countries like Canada and South Korea are facing dilemmas due to US unreliability, prompting debates about independent capabilities and alternative partnerships.
- The shift suggests a fundamental change, moving from a stable transatlantic order to a more fragmented and unpredictable global landscape.