For nearly three decades after the Soviet Union’s collapse, the international system operated under American unipolarity.

Western thinkers declared the “End of History,” assuming liberal democracy and market capitalism had achieved a permanent global triumph. Yet history has reasserted itself. As the world advances through the mid-2020s, the unipolar moment has clearly faded, giving way to a complex and evolving multipolar order. This transformation is not theoretical—its impacts are visible in disrupted supply chains, shifting diplomatic behaviour and the strategic decisions of capitals from Brasilia to Jakarta. Multipolarity—where several states share significant power rather than a single hegemon—often triggers anxiety in Western capitals, but historically it has been the global norm. The real challenge today is learning how to manage this emerging order. Doing so requires moving beyond Cold War binaries and adopting a more flexible, interest-driven approach to global affairs.

The rise of the Global South is central to this shift. China is a major driver, but the redistribution of influence extends far beyond Beijing. Washington’s pivot from engagement to “strategic competition” has not halted the diffusion of power. With the G7 accounting for a shrinking share of global GDP, it is increasingly unrealistic for any single centre of authority to dominate international politics. Crucially, countries across Africa, Latin America and Asia do not want to choose sides between the United States........

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