As a writer and a lover of history, I find the geopolitical shifts unfolding before us incomprehensible. Those of us who lived in the Eastern Bloc spent decades longing for a united world, free from the oppressive system that shaped our lives for over fifty years. We rejoiced when the Berlin Wall fell, believing that Europe would finally become a more unified and liberated place. And now, we watch as new walls are being built—not just between Europe and Russia but between Europe and the United States as well. Who would have predicted this thirty years ago?
Do we still remember the time when Russia's potential EU or even NATO membership was discussed? Back then, China was perceived as the common "threat." This was during the transition when Putin took over from Yeltsin. Since then, the world has gradually reverted to an era of great-power bargains, where alliances and spheres of influence are dictated not by the will of the people but by decisions made behind closed doors.
Recent events confirm this trajectory. The United States and Russia may have already reached an understanding regarding Ukraine’s fate, while Europe increasingly loses its autonomy. It is no longer seen as a partner to the U.S. but rather as an obstacle—or even a rival. NATO expansion, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the deterioration of U.S.-European relations all fit into this broader picture.
Donald Trump, who has once again taken center stage, previously made foreign policy decisions that, directly or indirectly, strengthened Russia’s influence in the Middle East. His withdrawal from Iraq allowed Iran and Russia to solidify their positions in the region. In Afghanistan, the chaotic and abrupt U.S. troop withdrawal paved the way for the Taliban’s resurgence, weakening American influence while bolstering Russian and Chinese strategic interests. In Syria, Trump’s decision to abandon the Kurds provided Moscow with a prime opportunity to assert military and political dominance. His isolationist "America First" policy, seemingly designed to serve American interests, has in fact contributed to a power shift—one that increasingly sidelines Europe in the global balance.
And China? Silent. Yet this silence speaks volumes. Beijing is watching, waiting for the new world order to unfold. History has shown that those who remain patient often emerge as the ultimate victors. For now, China is refraining from direct intervention, but its economic and military power continues to grow. In a world where the U.S. and Russia are redrawing spheres of influence, China may simply be biding its time, preparing to take the lead when the moment is right.
What awaits you, world? I grow more skeptical by the day, and my disillusionment deepens. The dream we once fought for, the vision we celebrated when the wall came down, now seems to be slipping away. Perhaps it was never more than a fleeting illusion in an unending historical game.