Merz Sticks to Old Geopolitical Paradigm

The speech which German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gave at the World Economic Forum in Davos this morning, again showed the absence of forward-looking concepts in his mind: “We have entered an era of great power politics…. The new world of great powers is based on power, strength and, if necessary, force.” A world in which only power counts is a dangerous place, he said without addressing the necessity of burying geopolitics and entering mutual cooperation with the BRICs and the Global South. “In order to survive, we must face up to a harsh reality and chart our course with clear realism,” Merz added, calling on Europe to stand firm in its loyalty to NATO, which he said is the foundation of European security policy. He called on nations to show more force in the Arctic against Russia. “As NATO allies, we must do more to protect the far north,” emphasized Merz. He entirely omitted mention of Russia’s repeated offer to the West to cooperate in the Arctic region.