Valdai Club

The international system has always been in flux, but the early twenty-first century has seen an acceleration of geopolitical, economic, technological, and ecological shifts that appear to be rewriting the rules of world politics. Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine in 2022 and NATO’s involvement in the conflict, China’s quick global rise, intensifying US–China competition, regional wars in the Middle East and Africa, the growing role of emerging powers in Africa and Latin America, the disruptive impact of climate change, and the revolutionary pace of artificial intelligence are just some of the developments that suggest that the world order established since 1945 may be unravelling, writes Yahia H. Zoubir for the 22nd Annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.

Reconciliation will require not just high-level diplomacy but a transformation in public discourse and national narratives. Through transparent education, media cooperation, and bold leadership, France and Algeria can move beyond the cycles of crisis and towards a future anchored in dignity and shared interests, Yahia H. Zoubir writes.

At the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa, Algeria’s candidacy was not retained to join the 5-member grouping; six out of 23 candidates were chosen: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. While politically, Algeria is the ideal candidate, its economic standing might not have been attractive enough, at least not yet. The pause before eventual membership in the BRICS at a later date should entice Algeria to accelerate long-overdue domestic reforms, reflect, innovate, and bolster efforts to position itself as an indisputable player on the global stage.