As we watch the world grapple with intensifying geopolitical conflicts, here at Prism14, we’ve found ourselves reflecting on a question that feels more urgent with each passing week: Is Pax Americana—the era of U.S. leadership in global affairs—in jeopardy?

In this, our latest article on the Prism14 website, we dive into what feels more and more like a truly pivotal moment in history, offering perspectives on what’s truly at stake as global powers reposition themselves. It’s not just the loud, headline-grabbing moves from countries like Russia and China, but the subtle shifts happening in the background that could redefine the world we live in.

Here’s what we should all be thinking about:

Russia’s Bold Moves Aren’t Just About Ukraine

Yes, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine is front and center. But the bigger picture is even more concerning: a standing army buildup to 1.5 million soldiers, escalatory nuclear rhetoric, and Arctic military expansion. This isn’t about territory or its regional security—it’s about Russia reasserting its relevance in a global order that’s feeling more fragile by the day. Russia’s power largely flows from its petrochemical sales to the EU and its neighbors.

China’s Quiet Power Play Goes Beyond Taiwan

China seems determined to reassert its influence in the Philippines Sea sphere and to reiterate its “One China” policy with respect to Taiwan, while keeping the pressure up on the US via cybersecurity campaigns among other initiatives.

While most of the news focuses on China’s intentions toward Taiwan, something more strategic is at work. China’s global influence is expanding not only through military force, but through economic policies (think Belt and Road) and technological advancement. They’re playing the long game with cybersecurity, AI, and 5G dominance—and it’s a game the U.S. isn’t guaranteed to win.

And let’s not forget China in Africa, where it sometimes feels the US has all but ceded a leadership role. Is that the whole story of US in Africa?

The Middle East – A Missed Opportunity or a Brewing Crisis?

What amounts to another escalation of conflict in Lebanon and Palestine occurred, this week – with pagers exploding and more air-strikes – yet again. Iran has opinions about this. The people of Israel are caught in the middle. The U.S. seems to be standing back from the Middle East, but is that the right move? Conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon continue to simmer, with Iran seizing every opportunity to expand its influence through proxies — while the Israel military bombs away — and Israel’s people are caught in the middle. Not to mention, many see Israel’s actions as giving up the moral high ground, as cease-fires seem an increasingly-distant possibility. As the U.S. refocuses, are we overlooking critical threats—or even potential allies—in the process?

Is North Korea a Wild Card?

North Korea’s missile tests and nuclear ambitions often get written off as background noise, but this “wild card” could have serious consequences for East Asia and beyond. While the regime remains isolated, it still holds the potential to disrupt regional stability in unpredictable ways.

North Korea launched another ballistic missile test on Tuesday, September 17th.

The Bigger Question: What About the Rest of the World?

It’s not just the major players like Russia, China, and Iran who are reshuffling the deck. Countries like India, which has positioned itself as a counterweight to China, and the European Union, balancing economic ties with security concerns, are carving out new roles in this emerging multipolar world.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asia and Africa are becoming the battlegrounds for influence between China and the West.

These developments paint a picture of a world order that’s shifting—perhaps even at risk of reconfiguring—right before our eyes.

If you’ve felt like geopolitics is too complex or distant, now’s the time to engage. We are all living through a pivotal moment in history, and understanding the broader landscape is critical to shaping the future we want to see.

In July, UK’s top general discussed need for the UK to be ready to fight war in three years, all but assuming conflict with Russia by 2027. This due to increased coordination of China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran.