The world in upheaval: power politics instead of a rules-based world order - with Herfried Münkler

Are we already in a pre-war state, as many experts believe? Fact 1: The world is in disarray and has become much less secure in recent years. There are more violent conflicts and wars today than ever before. In addition, there are smouldering conflicts in many regions of the world. The United Nations laments a new era of violence and conflict: conflicts are increasingly being fought between non-state actors such as political militias, criminal organisations and international terrorist groups and extremists, with no regard for the civilian population.

Fact 2: The might of the strongest applies - instead of a rules-based world order.

President Putin has been trying to secure Russia's status as an influential superpower with dubious ‘success’ for years, and not just with the war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates international law, the hybrid warfare against the West and the ongoing fuelling of conflicts worldwide. Putin's aggression towards former Soviet republics has also found willing imitators elsewhere, who rely on violence and terror. The new era of power politics, based on the right of the strongest, has shaken up the entire geopolitics - with unforeseeable consequences.

Fact 3: Struggle for global supremacy: The political and economic battle between the superpower China and the superpower USA has intensified significantly in recent years. With the new Silk Road, the geostrategic alliance with Russia and the massive rearmament of its navy and air force, China is endeavouring to replace the USA as a superpower in just a few years. While former US President Joe Biden favoured a less coherent ‘America first’ strategy, Donald Trump is insisting on the clear supremacy of the US with his disruptive and challenging geopolitical, foreign and trade policy. At the same time, US President Trump has already recognised and attempted to eliminate certain undesirable developments in globalisation during his first term of office. The near and distant future will show to what extent Trump's policies will be successful.

• What are the consequences of these major geopolitical and economic upheavals?

• What is Europe's role and place in the new global distribution of power?

• What does this mean for Europe, NATO and Switzerland in terms of security and military policy?

• Are there parallels between the current geopolitical upheaval and earlier historical events?

These and other questions will be the focus of the 22nd SSF Security Talk - join the discussion!

With Herfried Münkler, one of the leading experts on geopolitics, international relations and strategic studies in the German-speaking world, we have an outstanding expert on these developments as our guest. His analyses of war, power and order offer valuable insights into Europe's current challenges and future prospects.

You can find the detailed programme under this link.

Disclaimer: The registration is binding and the participation fee is non-refundable.