The article argues that the post-Cold War era of U.S. unipolarity, established by the perceived invincibility demonstrated during the Gulf War, has ended. This decline is driven by globalization and technological diffusion, which have democratized advanced military capabilities, allowing regional actors to challenge major powers. Consequently, policymakers must prepare for a more volatile international order marked by frequent crises, heightened costs for securing global trade chokepoints, and reduced predictability from American power. The new rules dictate that great powers can no longer effortlessly impose their will through force.
Europe’s Next Hegemon
English Summary
The article argues that Europe is entering a period of significant geopolitical resurgence, potentially positioning itself as the next global hegemon. This shift is driven by factors such as deepening economic integration within the EU, the need for unified strategic responses to external threats, and a rebalancing of global power away from traditional centers. For policymakers, this implies a critical need to strengthen internal cohesion and coordinate a unified foreign policy to maximize Europe's influence. Strategic planning must therefore pivot toward leveraging European institutional strength to manage a more multipolar world order.
中文摘要
本文論述歐洲正進入一個重大的地緣政治復興期，可能將其定位為下一個全球霸權。這一轉變的驅動因素包括歐盟內部經濟整合的深化、應對外部威脅所需的統一戰略回應，以及全球權力重心從傳統中心轉移的再平衡。對於政策制定者而言，這意味著迫切需要加強內部凝聚力，並協調統一的外交政策，以最大化歐洲的影響力。因此，戰略規劃必須轉向利用歐洲的制度實力，以應對一個更加多極化的世界秩序。
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