THE world is entering a critical and turbulent juncture in contemporary history, characterised by deepening divisions and a lack of consensus on major global issues.
The proliferation of conflicting and overlapping interests has rendered traditional alliances increasingly ambiguous, making it difficult to distinguish between allies and adversaries.
Domestically, political uncertainty prevails as the President of Zimbabwe has announced his intention to step down after his term. However, a faction within his party continues to advocate for term extension, thereby creating internal discord and generating widespread confusion across the country.
In South Africa, the African National Congress was just recovering from political setbacks caused by Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto we Sizwe party, which led to a coalition government with the Democratic Alliance. Yet new political challenges are emerging. US President Donald Trump has recently issued politically-charged statements regarding South Africa, prompted by calls for secession from some white minority groups. Despite decades of promoting reconciliation and national unity, these developments expose lingering grievances and entrenched racial divisions.
Elsewhere on the continent, the ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan have captured global attention and divided both regional and international actors along strategic lines. Potential tensions between the southern and eastern African blocs were diffused through multilateral summits. Meanwhile, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi appears to be courting US intervention — an initiative that may escalate tensions and ignite a new global flashpoint.
In the Sahel region, intensifying terrorist activity has made it the epicentre of global terrorism, accounting for over half of all terrorism-related fatalities. Extremist organisations such as the Islamic State’s Sahel affiliate and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (JNIM) have exploited political instability and weak governance to expand their influence. The rise of military juntas following coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger has further destabilised the region and heightened the security crisis.
In the Middle East, the conflict in Gaza has reignited, with President Trump’s renewed support further inflaming tensions after a period of relative calm following the January ceasefire. In Ukraine, the trajectory of the ongoing war remains uncertain, due to President Trump’s inconsistent approach and withholding of support. This unpredictability has prompted the European Union to bolster its defence posture amid growing concerns about a potential alignment between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In North America, long considered a bastion of geopolitical stability, relations among the United States, Mexico and Canada have significantly deteriorated. In February 2025, President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff on Canadian oil and energy products. Canada responded with a 25% tariff on US$20 billion worth of US goods, with plans to expand coverage to US$85 billion. Mexico has also prepared retaliatory measures targeting a wide range of American exports.
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This rising tide of global instability extends beyond geopolitics to encompass severe economic disruptions. The emergence of the so-called "Axis of Upheaval" — consisting of Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and other emerging powers — has further unsettled the existing international order. This group seeks to challenge Western dominance through co-ordinated economic, military and diplomatic efforts, thereby weakening the impact of sanctions and diminishing US strategic advantages.
Escalating trade tensions, particularly between the United States and China, have introduced significant uncertainty into the global economy. Recent tariff announcements and erratic policy decisions have disrupted supply chains and forced businesses to adapt to a volatile landscape. In response, numerous countries are actively seeking to diversify their trade partnerships and reduce exposure to the United States. These shifts have contributed to increased market volatility, rising operational costs and worsening global poverty.
Despite ongoing efforts to decouple from the US-dominated trade system, many economies remain deeply intertwined with American financial institutions. As such, the consequences of misguided US policies continue to reverberate through global markets, hampering countries’ efforts to combat poverty and invest in critical social infrastructure.
Climate-related threats further exacerbate global instability. The rising frequency of extreme weather events poses a severe risk to agricultural production and food security. Reduced crop yields have already led to rising food prices and supply shortages, which in turn strain humanitarian efforts and threaten mass displacement and regional unrest.
Compounding these issues, Trump has formally announced the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the global accord aimed at curbing climate change. In his statement, he declared, “As of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the Paris Agreement”. This decision is likely to accelerate the adverse effects of climate change, undermining international mitigation efforts.
It is striking how frequently the name Trump arises amid the growing turbulence afflicting global politics, economics and environmental governance.
