State of Global Affairs - Leverage, Transactional and Relationship - Based or Not...

Those who observe global power play closely will realize that almost every country has leverage. The leverage of countries that were deemed insignificant is increasing. This is more true because the world has become a global village, and the bond between nations has been growing, post World War II.

Countries who are aware of their leverage use it to their advantage. A case in point is Saudi Arabia (SA), a major ally of the U.S. but also with a strong alliance with the EU, Russia, and China. Post Khashoggi's assassination, SA used its leverage to quench the fallout of this horrific alleged state-sanctioned killing. There were next to zero consequences for MBS - the de facto Prime Minister of SA. He used his countries leverage to his advantage.

There is a re-write of the powerful nation's role in fostering peace. Those taking the rein of power in some Western countries are eroding the order that ushered in stupendous prosperity, post WWII. Nationalistic policies are replacing those that focus on globalization. They are promising prosperity, yet their actions and policy positions will further compound global inflation. They are muscling or at least are trying to muscle other nations to submission in the name of a transactional approach to replace a relationship and mutual respect approach that has created a win-win for all....

The stones that are being thrown up, only the divine knows where it will fall. If we do a permutation based on history, it will definitely not land in a place that will favor all. It may create a temporary result, but with friends alienated and relationships built for decades destroyed, the consequences and price will be enormous.