Since the rise of nation states, humanity has witnessed a world divided along ethnic, civilisational and racial lines. Yet, the 20th century marked a profound transformation; following the two devastating World Wars, global alignments began to coalesce around two expansive ideological poles of Capitalism and Socialism. These opposing visions of political and economic order soon crystalised into the Cold War - a tense and enduring confrontation that defined much of the century until the dissolution of Soviet Union in 1989.

The emergence of unipolar world under the global leadership of the United States of America initially inspired great optimism for a sustained era of peace and stability. It was envisioned as a period marked by shared democratic values, adherence to international laws, free trade, respect for sovereignty and the universal advancement of human rights. Nevertheless, the reality that followed fell far short of these ideals, leaving much of the world disillusioned by the promises that remained unfulfilled.

The dawn of 21st century witnessed the rise of China as a formidable global economic and military power, fundamentally challenging the unipolar dominance of the United States. Twenty-five years on, China today stands as the world's second largest but fastest growing economy and a formidable global military power. If we look closely, new lines of alignment and competition are visibly emerging on the global horizon, signaling a gradual yet undeniable........

© The Express Tribune