Hey everyone, welcome back to Diplomacy and Discourse. First off, I want to apologize for the two-week delay in getting this episode out. Life got a little hectic — I’ve been busy packing, planning, and traveling. I’m now officially recording this episode internationally from Israel/Palestine, where I’ll be based for the foreseeable future. I appreciate your patience, and I’ll do my best to keep the episodes coming, even while I’m on the move.

Now, onto the episode. This is Part 2 of our three-part series on global power dynamics, and we’re diving deep into the post–Cold War world. From the so-called “unipolar moment” of American dominance to the rise of new players like Ursula von der Leyen and Annalena Baerbock, this episode explores how the global chessboard has shifted—where soft power and diplomacy are now as crucial as tanks and tariffs.

We’re unpacking the second-term boldness of Donald Trump, contrasting it with the multilateral legacy of Joe Biden, and looking at how the Kremlin, NATO, and the EU have all recalibrated. Cyber warfare, climate diplomacy, and strategic backchanneling—this isn’t just statecraft, it’s the new battlefield.

Whether you’re tracking the front lines in Ukraine or the ideological shifts in Berlin and Washington, this episode breaks it all down.

💬 Have thoughts or questions? Hit me up at diplomacyanddiscourse@gmail.com

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