How the world is changing: weekly digest of foreign press

The focus is on the main changes in Europe's security architecture since February 2022; further actions of the Kremlin after the presidential elections; why a new world war like those we observed in the 20th century is impossible; how the Houthis' actions in the Red Sea play into the interests of the countries of the global south; and why political polarization in views between men and women is growing.

Russia and Ukraine

The New Statesman - about what has changed since February 2022 ( Ivan Krastev )

• The firm belief of Europeans that a military conflict on European territory is impossible turned out to be false
• European interdependence has irrevocably transformed overnight from a source of security to a source of danger.
• Europe has become completely dependent on the United States for security precisely at a time when the American umbrella can no longer be taken for granted.
• Now European governments and a growing number of Europeans have begun to perceive this conflict not in the context of solidarity with Ukraine, but in the context of protecting their core national interests

Bloomberg on what the Kremlin plans to do next ( Mark Champion )

• The president has made clear that he considers himself at war with the West, which Putin has accused of wanting to turn Russia into a 'lifeless space'.
• The Kremlin is clearly trying to destabilize Moldova, a post-Soviet republic with a predominantly Romanian-speaking population.
• Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stokes the main fear of Moldovans - that they could be drawn into a military conflict taking place near their border.
• If Russian troops take Odessa, then they will have the opportunity to project their influence on Romania, Moldova and the Balkan countries. If NATO doesn’t do this now, then it will be too late

World politics

The National Interest - about the scenario of a new world war ( Timothy Heath )

• If a new world war begins, it is unlikely to be similar to the world wars that took place in the 20th century
• The warring powers, unable to carry out massive and economic mobilization of resources, are forced to wage war by relying on proxies, information, political and economic means, while simultaneously avoiding large-scale military clashes
• Despite the fact that the United States has an undeniable economic advantage over other countries, its political vulnerability has only become more noticeable over time. The same applies to Russia, China and Iran
• Fragile levels of public support make the kind of mass mobilization strategies used by state leaders during the industrial era virtually impossible to succeed.

• An increased number of ships taking the longer and more expensive route around the Cape of Good Hope is benefiting the South African economy
  
• As an important member of BRICS and a rising economic power, India is at the crossroads of new trade corridors. Rerouting oil and gas supplies through the Cape of Good Hope aligns with India's energy import needs
• The redirection of maritime traffic and the subsequent jump in oil prices are giving Moscow an unexpected influx of money into the budget. Rising energy prices are boosting budget revenues, allowing the Kremlin to create the financial reserve needed to withstand the economic pressure of sanctions restrictions

Other

The New York Times on the political divide between men and women ( David French )

• Young girls and boys are now leading separate lives - and the more they do so, the more their life experiences and beliefs will differ
• When like-minded people get together, they become increasingly aware that they are right and move away from others.
• In other words, if there are given political differences between men and women - and yes, it is true that men are generally more conservative than women - then these differences will only get worse as men prefer to spend time in the company of men and women prefer to spend time with women