Unipolar world no more!

Abdul Hamid Khan

Dhu al-Qa'dah 08, 1438 2017-08-01

Letters To The Editor

by Abdul Hamid Khan (Letters To The Editor, Crescent International Vol. 46, No. 6, Dhu al-Qa'dah, 1438)

The global political landscape is changing fast. America did not last long as the world’s sole superpower, which it pompously thought it would be forever. Few took it seriously but now it is being challenged openly. This was evident in two major developments last month. First, the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Moscow clearly signaled that they would no longer show deference to a US president who acts more like a clown than statesman. The Russians and Chinese will continue to forge ahead with their strategic partnership.

More insults awaited Trump at the G20 summit in Hamburg. For the group photo, he was made to stand at the end of the line. Did Trump feel offended? You bet. He thinks he is the centre of the universe. This downgrading was necessary in order to demonstrate that the world, especially Europe, no longer cares for US leadership. Led by Germany, it is charting its own course. This cannot be bad for the world. The unipolar world was a bad idea to start with.

Abdul Hamid Khan
Chicago, IL, US