EXPERT'S INSIGHTS The Changing World, Europe and Geopolitics

Abstract

The text examines the accelerating transformation of the contemporary international system in the context of the recent escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran and argues that these developments reveal deeper structural shifts in global geopolitics. The analysis identifies four major trends shaping the emerging international order: the transition from unipolarity to multipolarity, the reconfiguration of great-power competition, the erosion of the post-1945 international order and its institutional foundations, and the growing predominance of geopolitical considerations over ideological divisions. Drawing on geopolitical and international relations perspectives, the article explores the implications of these trends for global stability, the functioning of international institutions, and the evolving balance of power among major and regional actors. Particular attention is devoted to the strategic challenges facing the European Union in an increasingly fragmented and competitive international environment. The paper assesses the strengths and vulnerabilities of the EU, including its economic power, regulatory influence, strategic dependencies, and internal political divisions. It argues that Europe’s role in the emerging world order will depend on its ability to develop strategic autonomy, strengthen technological and energy resilience, and formulate a coherent geopolitical vision. The article concludes that the contemporary international system is entering a period of heightened uncertainty, intensified geopolitical rivalry, and the gradual replacement of rule-based international governance with more fluid and power-driven forms of international interaction.

JEL: F50, F51, F55