New World Order? Global Leaders on a ‘Rule-less’ Future
- the world order is in the "midst of a rupture",leaders have warned - telling how international law is being "trampled underfoot" and "imperial ambitions are resurfacing".
- The row over the US President Donald TrumpS desire to annex Greenland - and his ongoing rhetoric along with his threats to impose tariffs - is dominating the...
- There is also concern across Latin America with Mr Trump's efforts to seize Venezuela's oil.
the world order is in the “midst of a rupture”,leaders have warned – telling how international law is being “trampled underfoot” and “imperial ambitions are resurfacing”.
The row over the US President Donald TrumpS desire to annex Greenland – and his ongoing rhetoric along with his threats to impose tariffs – is dominating the agenda at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
There is also concern across Latin America with Mr Trump’s efforts to seize Venezuela’s oil.
In Davos, the American leader said: “I love Europe and I wont to see Europe go good, but it’s not heading in the right direction.”
And in reference to Greenland,he said: “This enormous unsecured island is actually part of North America. That’s our territory.”
But world leaders believe “rules-based order is fading” and there’s a shift to a new era “without rules”.
Davos latest – US says it won’t use force over Greenland
“There is a strong tendency for countries to go along to get along,” he said. “To accommodate.To avoid trouble. To hope that compliance will buy safety. It won’t.
“Great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons, tariffs as leverage, financial infrastructure as coercion, supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Pic: Reuters
‘Time to build a new Europe’
European Commission President ursula von der Leyen said it was time to “build a new autonomous Europe” and any diplomatic “downward spiral” in the west would only embolden its adversaries.
“The proposed additional tariffs are a mistake,especially between long-standing allies,” she said.
“My point is: if this change is permanent, then Europe must change permanently too. It is time to seize this prospect and build a new independent Europe.
“We consider the peopel of the United States not just our allies, but our friends.
“And plunging us into a downward spiral would only aid the very adversaries we are both so committed to keeping out of the strategic landscape.”
Okay, I will analyze the provided text and follow the strict instructions for adversarial research, freshness checks, entity-based geo, and semantic answer rules.
PHASE 1: ADVERSARIAL RESEARCH,FRESHNESS & BREAKING-NEWS CHECK
The provided text discusses a statement made by a European official (likely Ursula von der Leyen,given the context of a speech in the European Parliament) regarding greenland’s security and Europe’s need for “levers of power.” The core claims are:
* The US is the only country that can guarantee Greenland’s security.
* Europe needs its own “levers of power” in an increasingly lawless world.
* Europe prefers dialog but is prepared to act with unity, urgency, and determination.
Verification & Updates (as of 2026/01/21 16:24:10):
* US & Greenland Security: The United States and Denmark (Greenland is a constituent country of the Kingdom of Denmark) have a long-standing defense agreement.The US maintains a military presence in Greenland, primarily related to early warning radar systems.Recent reports (late 2024/early 2025) indicate increased US interest in expanding its security cooperation with Greenland due to growing geopolitical competition in the Arctic, particularly from Russia and China. US Department of Defense. While the US is a key security partner, the claim that only the US can guarantee Greenland’s security is a strong statement and requires nuance. Denmark also plays a crucial role, and Greenland itself is seeking greater autonomy in its security arrangements.
* Europe’s ”Levers of Power”: This is a broader statement reflecting a growing sentiment within the EU regarding strategic autonomy. Following events in Ukraine and increasing global instability, the EU has been actively pursuing initiatives to strengthen its defense capabilities, energy independence, and economic resilience. European council – Strategic Autonomy. The EU’s efforts include increased defense spending, the development of joint military projects, and diversification of supply chains.
* Europe’s Approach: The statement about preferring dialogue but being prepared to act aligns with the EU’s stated foreign policy principles. The EU consistently emphasizes diplomacy and multilateralism but has also demonstrated a willingness to impose sanctions and provide military aid in response to crises.
Breaking News Check: As of 2026/01/21 16:24:10, there are no breaking news events directly contradicting or substantially altering the core claims of the provided text. however,the situation in the arctic is dynamic,and ongoing developments related to geopolitical competition and climate change could impact the security landscape in Greenland.
PHASE 2: ENTITY-BASED GEO
Ursula von der Leyen and European Security Policy
Table of Contents
The statement, delivered by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, highlights a shift in European thinking regarding security and strategic autonomy. Her remarks in the European Parliament underscore the growing concern over global instability and the need for the EU to assert its influence on the world stage.
Greenland and the Arctic Security Landscape
Greenland, an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of Denmark, has become a focal point in geopolitical competition, particularly in the Arctic region. The strategic importance of Greenland stems from its geographic location, its natural resources, and the potential for new shipping routes as climate change reduces Arctic ice cover. The US maintains a presence at Thule Air Base, Greenland, a key component of its missile defense system.
Russia and China’s Arctic Interests
Increased activity by Russia and China in the Arctic region is a key driver of the growing security concerns. Russia has been rebuilding its military infrastructure in the Arctic, while China has expressed its interest in developing economic and strategic ties with Arctic nations. Council on Foreign Relations – Arctic Security.