TRENDS Research & Advisory took part in the Political Studies Association of Ireland (PSAI) Annual Conference, held at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, from October 18 to 20. This participation is part of TRENDS’ efforts to engage constructively with academic and research institutions and contribute meaningfully to global research conferences and knowledge symposia.
The contribution consisted of a paper titled “Navigating the New Global Order: U.S. Foreign Policy in a Multipolar Era,” presented by Abdulla Al-Khaja and Gina Bou Serhal, researchers at TRENDS.
The paper highlighted the global transition from an era dominated by U.S. leadership to a multipolar world, characterized by the rise of new global powers. This shift signals the dawn of a post-American phase, driven by various key factors that have reshaped international dynamics and redistributed influence across many nations.
The Decline of American Dominance
The paper presented by Al-Khaja and Bou Serhal argued that the post-World War II global order has weakened significantly due to the rise of multipolarity, fueled by the growing economic and political influence of multiple great powers and emerging nations. As these rising powers assert their presence in key regions and global institutions, the perception of singular U.S. dominance continues to decline. This has resulted in a more fragmented and competitive world order, where power is increasingly distributed among various actors, each striving to shape global dynamics to reflect their priorities and ambitions.
The paper noted that this evolving landscape challenges the United States’ ability to unilaterally influence international affairs, pointing to the emergence of a more complex and multipolar world.
It recommended that the U.S. should recalibrate its foreign policy to remain a credible global leader capable of addressing urgent challenges such as climate change, terrorism, rising extremism, and the risks of future pandemics and other global health crises.
Global Balance of Power
The paper also touched on the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, comparing the proposed foreign policy initiatives of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump concerning the most pressing global challenges today. The next U.S. president will profoundly influence the future of American foreign policy, affecting the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, the broader global balance of power, and critical issues such as nuclear proliferation and climate change. However, the realignment of alliances will depend on the goals of the incoming U.S. administration.
The paper explored how the U.S. can navigate growing global competition and shifting alliances among emerging powers. The U.S. must not only continue its core foreign policy mission of promoting freedom, advancing democracy, and protecting human rights worldwide, but it must also focus on capitalizing on opportunities rather than merely addressing security challenges or pursuing short-term crisis-driven foreign policies.
