How Europe’s Order Obsession Left China Prepared for Global Chaos

As global order unravels and the rules governing international relations cease to matter, Europe finds itself at a crossroads. While the continent’s leaders have fixated on preserving the status quo, China has quietly adapted to what Mark Leonard, co-founder of the European Council on Foreign Relations, calls an “age of un-order.” In a world where traditional norms are collapsing—from energy markets to geopolitical alliances—Europe risks falling behind as Beijing consolidates its position through strategic foresight and industrial resilience.

Leonard argues in a recent commentary that the US and Israel may have initiated the current crisis in Iran, but it is China and Europe that stand to lose the most from the resulting chaos. While European governments have been paralyzed by rising energy prices and the specter of instability, China has responded with remarkable composure. The contrast is stark: Europe remains obsessed with maintaining order, while China has spent years preparing for a world where the old rules no longer apply.

China’s preparation began more than a decade ago, as European nations outsourced their security to NATO, their trade rules to the World Trade Organization, and their energy supplies to Russia and the Gulf. Meanwhile, Beijing systematically stockpiled critical resources—oil, food, semiconductors, and rare earth minerals—securing dominance in the technologies of the future. This foresight has left China better positioned to weather the current storm, even as European cities face deindustrialization and vulnerability to coercion.

Leonard’s analysis highlights a fundamental mismatch between Europe’s risk-averse approach and the realities of a multipolar world. While European leaders watch from the sidelines, China is actively reshaping global economic and industrial landscapes. The question now is whether Europe can break free from its obsession with order and begin to think like China—anticipating crises, diversifying dependencies, and investing in the tools needed to survive in an era where the old playbook no longer works.

For Europe, the stakes could not be higher. The continent’s ability to adapt will determine whether it remains a relevant global player or becomes a bystander in its own future.