Geopolitics in Pandemic Times
The world is at war with a virus. This invisible killer is spreading at a rapid pace, throwing numerous countries into a state of emergency. Governments are fighting the collapse of their health systems and economy.
The coronavirus is dominating world politics. But it is not displacing the power politics of the world. Geopolitical competition does not take a break. On the contrary, the pandemic is an accelerator, reinforcing the fundamental dynamics already at play.
The global power vacuum in the world order is more evident than ever due to the coronavirus. It has demonstrated to a large extent the powerlessness of the United States, a global superpower yet the country most severely affected. A great power that gives the impression that it cannot protect its own society will likewise not be perceived as providing protection internationally. Many countries are desperately looking for orientation, global solidarity, security, and leadership in this crisis. They will have to look beyond the United States.
Under the Trump administration, the US has abdicated its position as a responsible stakeholder in the world. Compared to its leading role in the campaign to tackle the Ebola epidemic in 2014, it is glaringly absent today. The West is not leading the global effort against the virus. No one is assuming the burden of global responsibility. The…
