World Order

From Globalisation to Geopolitics

Over the past decade, the dominant narrative about world order has shifted from economic globalisation to geopolitics, security, and great-power competition. This change is not merely academic: it shapes policy decisions that affect millions of people.

This report argues that today’s world should not be described simply as a “Second Cold War,” a new bipolarity, or a multipolar order. Instead, we are living through a turbulent transition with no clear endpoint. While rivalry between the United States and China is central, the emerging order is fragmented, fluid, and less ideologically divided than the Cold War. Other actors, especially in the Global South, increasingly hedge between major powers depending on the issue.

Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency in 2025 has intensified uncertainty and accelerated change. Alongside leaders such as Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, he represents a return to transactional great-power politics focused on spheres of influence.

The report also examines the EU’s position, especially Germany’s, in this changing environment. It considers the crisis in transatlantic relations, the EU’s global options, and the need for internal reform. The conclusion offers policy recommendations to strengthen the EU’s role internationally and encourage its leading member states to take greater responsibility.