John Kerry underlined the differences between the cold war era and contemporary times, calling for more unity and more cooperation
by Emanuele Bonini
Modern times pose more threats to peace and stability compared with past. Nowadays the situation is more complicated than the global geopolitic order was until the end of the cold war. In other words things were better when times were harder, said the US Secretary of State, John Kerry today in Brussels. Participating at a debate on the Future of Transatlantic Relations organised by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), Kerry remembered his experience in East Berlin, and the era of a world divided in two blocks. «World in those days was definitely simpler». The world at that time «was bipolar, a sort of boxing match, with two super power rivals in each of the two opposing corners, preparing the slogan out round after round». It was basically easier to understand where to focus all the attentions, who were the actors to deal with. «Everybody's fears and hopes were concentrated in the hands of few powerful men». Today the situation has changed radically, and the world order is much more out of control.
The great difference between now and the past, stressed Kerry, is that «today the world is less hierarchical, and power is more broadly shared», and there unconventional habits mining stability and prosperity. The US Secretary of State didn't mention nothing in clear way, but of course terrorism was his main thought when he warned about the presence of «non-State actors are playing an increasing role on the global stage». But it is not just about terrorism. A wider range of threats put everybody at risk. «The ghosts of conflicts past, virulent nationalism, authoritarianism, prejudices, sectarian divide, have reappeared in modern but not less vicious guise».
people fear that global competition will lead out from their place, that communities will be transformed by migrants and refugees. There is a lot of turning, making job of shipping events even more complecated. It puts pressure on government. The truth is there are not easy ways to address these anxieties. There is a logical place to begin, and is by remembering who we are and what we stand for. In Belgium you have a motto: l'union fait la force, unity makes streght. Unity within Europe and the partnership between the United Stated and Europe remain absolutely indespensable to global security and prosperity. An invite to the European Union to remain unite.
Kerry recalled the importance of the European project, and the «remarkable melting» achieved by the integration process, started from «the ashes» of the Second world war. «A journey» towards new horizons, made by more than 70 years of peace. Something to preserve, according to the US diplomacy chief. What Europe got in all these years is something «it should never given for granted».
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| John Kerry |
Modern times pose more threats to peace and stability compared with past. Nowadays the situation is more complicated than the global geopolitic order was until the end of the cold war. In other words things were better when times were harder, said the US Secretary of State, John Kerry today in Brussels. Participating at a debate on the Future of Transatlantic Relations organised by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), Kerry remembered his experience in East Berlin, and the era of a world divided in two blocks. «World in those days was definitely simpler». The world at that time «was bipolar, a sort of boxing match, with two super power rivals in each of the two opposing corners, preparing the slogan out round after round». It was basically easier to understand where to focus all the attentions, who were the actors to deal with. «Everybody's fears and hopes were concentrated in the hands of few powerful men». Today the situation has changed radically, and the world order is much more out of control.
The great difference between now and the past, stressed Kerry, is that «today the world is less hierarchical, and power is more broadly shared», and there unconventional habits mining stability and prosperity. The US Secretary of State didn't mention nothing in clear way, but of course terrorism was his main thought when he warned about the presence of «non-State actors are playing an increasing role on the global stage». But it is not just about terrorism. A wider range of threats put everybody at risk. «The ghosts of conflicts past, virulent nationalism, authoritarianism, prejudices, sectarian divide, have reappeared in modern but not less vicious guise».
people fear that global competition will lead out from their place, that communities will be transformed by migrants and refugees. There is a lot of turning, making job of shipping events even more complecated. It puts pressure on government. The truth is there are not easy ways to address these anxieties. There is a logical place to begin, and is by remembering who we are and what we stand for. In Belgium you have a motto: l'union fait la force, unity makes streght. Unity within Europe and the partnership between the United Stated and Europe remain absolutely indespensable to global security and prosperity. An invite to the European Union to remain unite.
Kerry recalled the importance of the European project, and the «remarkable melting» achieved by the integration process, started from «the ashes» of the Second world war. «A journey» towards new horizons, made by more than 70 years of peace. Something to preserve, according to the US diplomacy chief. What Europe got in all these years is something «it should never given for granted».
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