Welcome to the Twenty-First Century

The world has many troubles including destabilized markets and low oil prices, high debt levels, terrorism and the ongoing refugee crisis for the Middle East, Europe and North Africa. The international order of the 20th century is shifting, and no suitable replacement is waiting in the wings. “Today, the Pax Americana that ensured a large degree of global stability has begun to fray – most notably in the Middle East and on the Korean Peninsula,” writes Joschka Fischer, former German foreign minister and vice chancellor, for Project Syndicate. “The US may still be the world’s strongest power, but it is no longer able or willing to play the role of the world’s policeman or make the sacrifices needed to guarantee order.” Global leadership requires military hard power along with soft power tools of culture, media, technology and fashion, he explains. Global power, rarely voluntarily surrendered, is too often reduced through widespread conflict. A challenge for Europe, the United States and the rest of the globe is selecting leaders who can guide the process of tackling big global problems without conflict and nationalism, while negotiating workable rules for a new order. – YaleGlobal