The Economist's 'new world order' analysis featuring Trump and Erdoğan: 'Small countries will be bullied'
Suggesting that Trump is building a new world order, The Economist featured not only Trump but also Erdoğan on the cover of its March issue. The published analysis predicts that major powers will 'colonize' economically and militarily weak countries.
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12punto FOREIGN NEWS
The UK-based magazine The Economist addressed the roles of world leaders in the new world order in this week's issue. On the cover titled ''The Don's New World Order'', while US President Donald Trump is in the foreground, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also appear in the visual.
The Trump administration demanded a $350 billion payment in exchange for establishing a joint state fund to 'develop' Ukraine's mineral resources. Zelensky and Trump met in Washington to sign the mining deal. Zelensky, who wanted security guarantees for his country, left the White House after arguing with Trump and did not sign the agreement.
The Economist emphasized that the international order established after 1945 is collapsing and that the world is rapidly moving toward a state where might makes right. According to the British publisher, this will create a system where major powers bully smaller countries by making deals.
Criticizing the Trump administration's policies in Ukraine, the magazine stated, ''America's Don Corleone approach has been displayed toward Ukraine.''
The New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman raised the question of whether Trump is 'a puppet' of Putin, stating the following:
''Trump sees no problem in demanding privileged access to Ukraine's natural resources. But doing so without providing security guarantees would be a move that even Don Corleone would be ashamed of.''
A frame from the argument between Zelensky and Trump. During the argument, Zelensky cursed at US Vice President JD Vance in Ukrainian
NEW ORDER ANALYSIS
The Economist analyzed the goals of major powers in the new world order. It was stated that Russian President Putin wants to make Russia a great imperial power once again. It was emphasized that Chinese President Xi Jinping aims to create a world order suitable for a strong China. It was stated that Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Salman wants to 'modernize' the Middle East and fend off Iran.
It was noted that Turkish President Erdoğan and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also play important roles in this new order. The magazine pointed out that the dependencies and loyalties of these leaders could be seen as weaknesses.
The Economist also expressed its concerns regarding the future of NATO. It included the warning from Germany's likely new chancellor Friedrich Merz that NATO could come to an end by June. The magazine argued that this approach by the Trump administration would make the world more dangerous and lead to America becoming weaker and poorer.