BLUF: Transitions of Power

The recent vote of no-confidence for Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz comes at a perilous time for Europe. Scholz’s ‘traffic light’ coalition formally collapsed on Monday as lawmakers voted to dissolve the existing government with a snap election now scheduled for February 23rd, the first in more than two decades. Meanwhile across the border, French President Macron saw his government dissolve after the first successful no-confidence measure in over 60 years. 

This political turmoil reflects a growing pattern of serious partisan divide among key U.S. economic and military allies. Just a few weeks ago, South Korea’s president declared martial law, and even more recently Canada’s finance minister quit the cabinet as Prime Minister Trudeau continues to ponder his political future. 

As our key allies and partners experience internal conflict and polarization, the world faces mounting economic and security challenges. The relationship between Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea continues to deepen, and the war in Ukraine has reached a pivotal point, all pointing to a … complicated 2025.

And while the U.S. continues to be a beacon for technological, economic, and military strength, we rely on the strength of our allies and have a vested interest in their stability, to ensure global security. As our own government undergoes a peaceful transition of power, the new administration will face an important challenge: reinforce its foreign partnerships and cement a U.S. led world order to guarantee economic stability and global security against a rising and resilient axis of threats.

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