Historian Warns of Growing Tensions Leading to Global Conflict

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Renowned historian Andreas Rödder has expressed concern over the increasing risk of world war, stating that the current geopolitical landscape reflects a fractured international order. In an interview, Rödder asserted, “The danger of a world war is very real,” highlighting the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza as symptomatic of deeper struggles for hegemonic influence among global powers, specifically Russia, China, and Iran.

Rödder, a professor at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, argued that mere military deterrence is insufficient to address current tensions. He identified the unaddressed defeat of the Soviet Union in the Cold War as a critical factor leading to territorial disputes and neo-imperial aspirations in both Russia and China. He elaborated that a rejuvenation of Western democracies is essential for facing these challenges, given the political polarization that currently undermines resilience.

Furthermore, Rödder criticized past foreign policies, particularly Germany’s reliance on Russian energy and its failure to offer adequate security guarantees to Ukraine, which he views as strategic missteps. He believes that a focus on revitalizing civil society and individual agency may provide a path forward to mitigate these global threats.

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