No one can know the paths of the new era that is looming, but the driving forces for which it is necessary to prepare are already evident.
It is a time of confrontation or stark competition between powers, in which a high degree of external dependence on strategic matters or products can become a lethal weakness.
It is a world in which globalization is reconfigured and the geopolitical atlas is moving, and that has nothing to do with the lighting after the fall of the Berlin wall.
It is marked by the ideological pulse between democracies and authoritarian regimes that – so they say – want to build a different world order and in which, more than before, it is essential for Europeans that the EU strengthen its internal cohesion.
Russia's attack on Ukraine with its catastrophic consequences monopolizes the foreground of attention.
Everything suggests that the most credible scenario is that of a prolonged war of attrition.
Based on the evidence they have, the US intelligence services – who were correct in anticipating the invasion – believe that Vladimir Putin is determined to go ahead despite the serious damage suffered.
Ukraine is also determined to continue defending itself, and the West to support it in that legitimate defense.
In this context, it is sensible to continue providing means to kyiv and it is necessary to prepare for very serious disruptions in the energy sector and a prolonged phase of runaway inflation.
It is credible to think that Putin believes that our societies are less willing to accept suffering than his own – dominated by repression and information manipulation.
It is likely that he will accept to see his income diminished in order to inflict sensible energy damage on us in the winter.
It is necessary, in addition to alleviating the ravages of the current high costs, to prepare detailed contingency plans for an even more adverse scenario, in which it is vital that the EU does not divide due to the scarcity of resources.
And it is essential to speak clearly to public opinion about the sacrifices that all this entails, even if public policies are arbitrated to cushion it.
In addition to mitigating the ravages of the current high costs, prepare in detail contingency plans for an even more adverse scenario, in which it is vital that the EU not be divided due to the scarcity of resources.
And it is essential to speak clearly to public opinion about the sacrifices that all this entails, even if public policies are arbitrated to cushion it.
In addition to mitigating the ravages of the current high costs, prepare in detail contingency plans for an even more adverse scenario, in which it is vital that the EU not be divided due to the scarcity of resources.
And it is essential to speak clearly to public opinion about the sacrifices that all this entails, even if public policies are arbitrated to cushion it.
In the background, the relationship with China —the undisputed protagonist of the 21st century— is full of uncertainties.
There seems to be a growing awareness at all political and business levels of the dangers of over-reliance on the gigantic Asian market.
Even in the powerful German industry, which has reaped huge benefits from interaction with China, the idea of diversifying its projections prevails.
Apple, perhaps the great symbol of the synergy in recent decades between Western technological design and Chinese manufacturing, has begun to move some production chains to Vietnam.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks of the need to establish production chains in reliable countries.
The world to come seems marked by the polarization of the big players and that will end up affecting everyone else.
The EU must avoid contributing to this negative spiral, but without falling into useless appeasement or naive confidence.
Nor should you give up your principles to reinforce your interests.
And when more difficult times come that put it to the test, it cannot forget that unity among Europeans is the best guarantee of a democratic and prosperous future.