"Western Order in Shambles: Europe Must Adapt to a Post-Western World"
The specter of Donald Trump's invasion of Greenland hangs over the world like a dark cloud, casting a shadow on the very foundations of international relations. While it remains to be seen whether Trump will actually follow through on his threat, one thing is certain: the Western order that once brought stability and cooperation among nations is rapidly unraveling.
A recent global public opinion poll provides a chilling glimpse into the state of public perception in Europe and beyond. Conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations and the University of Oxford, the poll reveals a stark decline in faith in the West's institutions and values. Less than one in five Europeans believe that the US is an ally, while only 18% in Ukraine still see it as such.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a turning point, as China, India, and Turkey continued to engage with Russia despite Western sanctions. However, Trump's presidency has taken this trend further. His approach is eerily similar to that of Vladimir Putin, prioritizing strength, force, and power over diplomacy and cooperation.
In response, Europeans must adapt to a new reality where the West is no longer the dominant player on the global stage. The traditional rules-based international system is rapidly losing credibility, and old alliances are being rewritten. The EU, in particular, faces an existential challenge as its slow-moving institutions struggle to keep pace with the demands of a rapidly changing world.
Garton Ash's prescription for Europe is clear: it must adopt a new internationalism that prioritizes power, pragmatism, and results over rules and process. This means engaging with a wider range of partners on issue-by-issue basis, embracing flexibility and adaptability, and demonstrating quiet strength and resolve in the face of adversity.
A series of high-profile visits to Greenland are just the beginning. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and others should join forces to send a clear message that Europe will not be intimidated by Trump's aggression.
The strategic discussion between Greenland and the EU on a possible close relationship is also long overdue. A customized partnership with Greenland could provide a vital counterbalance to Russia's growing influence in the Arctic region.
As the world hurtles towards a post-Western order, Europeans must steel themselves for a new era of uncertainty and competition. The poll's dismal findings – that half of Europeans are pessimistic about the EU's ability to deal on equal terms with global powers – only underscore the need for a more assertive and proactive approach.
Ultimately, the fate of Greenland hangs in the balance, as Trump's erratic behavior and Putin's growing belligerence threaten to upset the delicate balance of power in the region. Europe must respond with calm deliberation, but also with unwavering resolve and determination to defend its values and interests. The world is watching, and the West can no longer afford to sleepwalk into oblivion.
The specter of Donald Trump's invasion of Greenland hangs over the world like a dark cloud, casting a shadow on the very foundations of international relations. While it remains to be seen whether Trump will actually follow through on his threat, one thing is certain: the Western order that once brought stability and cooperation among nations is rapidly unraveling.
A recent global public opinion poll provides a chilling glimpse into the state of public perception in Europe and beyond. Conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations and the University of Oxford, the poll reveals a stark decline in faith in the West's institutions and values. Less than one in five Europeans believe that the US is an ally, while only 18% in Ukraine still see it as such.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a turning point, as China, India, and Turkey continued to engage with Russia despite Western sanctions. However, Trump's presidency has taken this trend further. His approach is eerily similar to that of Vladimir Putin, prioritizing strength, force, and power over diplomacy and cooperation.
In response, Europeans must adapt to a new reality where the West is no longer the dominant player on the global stage. The traditional rules-based international system is rapidly losing credibility, and old alliances are being rewritten. The EU, in particular, faces an existential challenge as its slow-moving institutions struggle to keep pace with the demands of a rapidly changing world.
Garton Ash's prescription for Europe is clear: it must adopt a new internationalism that prioritizes power, pragmatism, and results over rules and process. This means engaging with a wider range of partners on issue-by-issue basis, embracing flexibility and adaptability, and demonstrating quiet strength and resolve in the face of adversity.
A series of high-profile visits to Greenland are just the beginning. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and others should join forces to send a clear message that Europe will not be intimidated by Trump's aggression.
The strategic discussion between Greenland and the EU on a possible close relationship is also long overdue. A customized partnership with Greenland could provide a vital counterbalance to Russia's growing influence in the Arctic region.
As the world hurtles towards a post-Western order, Europeans must steel themselves for a new era of uncertainty and competition. The poll's dismal findings – that half of Europeans are pessimistic about the EU's ability to deal on equal terms with global powers – only underscore the need for a more assertive and proactive approach.
Ultimately, the fate of Greenland hangs in the balance, as Trump's erratic behavior and Putin's growing belligerence threaten to upset the delicate balance of power in the region. Europe must respond with calm deliberation, but also with unwavering resolve and determination to defend its values and interests. The world is watching, and the West can no longer afford to sleepwalk into oblivion.
, these leaders are just talking trash about Trump, but it's time for them to put their money where their mouth is 
, Greenland is literally a pawn in a global game of chess and the EU can't afford to lose control of it 
I gotta say, this whole Western order thing feels like it's been on life support for ages anyway. Like, we all knew Trump was gonna be a wild card, but even Putin's moves feel like they're just trying to shake things up at this point.
. It's like we're all stuck in some kind of global video game where the rules keep changing and everyone's just trying to adapt 
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. We need Europe (and the world) to be more flexible, adaptable, and willing to take risks 
. A customized partnership could be a game-changer in the Arctic region 
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. The EU needs a new strategy, not just a bunch of empty promises about being strong and united 
. They need to show China (and everyone else) that they're serious about adapting to a post-Western world. Can't just keep relying on the US to bail them out 
. A more assertive approach, like Garton Ash suggests, is long overdue. Time for Europe to step up its game and show the world what it's made of 
!
. for europe to adapt, they need to think differently about power & pragmatism over rules & process 
. the fact that half of europeans are pessimistic about the eu's ability to deal with global powers is worrying 
. Trump and Putin are just like those pesky weeds that need to be pulled out - they're choking the life out of everything.
! They should start by revamping their own backyard before trying to fix everyone else's 
. It's all about being flexible, adapting, and embracing what works for them, not just relying on old rules and institutions.
. They should focus on building strong relationships with partners who actually share their values 
, like those in Greenland or Canada. A customized partnership could be the key to countering Russia's influence in the Arctic 
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