Karen Aboul Kheir‏‏

The Russia-Ukraine War underscores the intricacies of a fading global world order, in which several actors aspire to position themselves in the new order that has yet to take form. Complex international relations are not unprecedented, but matters as they are now have brought the world to a new tipping point. The balance of power between the main actors and superpowers is shifting, with interactions between them becoming increasingly intense. Current significant interdependencies between these actors also make them vulnerable to any potential disruption to the status quo, thereby complicating their decision-making processes. Upsetting this interdependence would likely exact a heavy toll on all parties, but this is where non-state actors such as international corporations surface as key players in this crisis. Production and consumption patterns dependent on transcontinental supply chains are now an essential determining factor in foreign policy. Trade, communication, media, and cryptocurrency have also expanded to the realm of cyberspace, a place where countries and banks have little power or supervision over transactions. Though the current situation requires developing new mechanisms to regulate this space, both corporations and tech giants continue to fight over how to best manage cyberspace.

Karen Aboul Kheir‏‏

Karen Aboul Kheir‏‏

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