No one takes pleasure in playing the ominous birds on Boxing Day.
Yet, as eyes turn to 2022, there is a worrying alignment of perils.
If they were to aggregate, the world could weather one of those major storms that punctuate the centuries.
Not that the planet has ever been pacified - it is permanently bled by fifty or so conflicts.
The new fact is a play of global forces which carries the threat of a great change.
The first economic and military power, until then "policeman of the world" for better or for worse, began a decade ago a movement of withdrawal which comes to its moment of truth.
Anyone can measure America's reluctance to protect its allies and stand up to its enemies - the proof is Afghanistan.
This has the effect of whetting competing appetites: Russia in Ukraine, China in Taiwan, Iran in its underground nuclear installations see each other in concert ...
This article is for subscribers only.
You have 53% left to discover.
Freedom is also to go to the end of a debate.
Continue reading your article for € 1 the first month
I ENJOY IT
Already subscribed?
Log in