
The Return of Power Politics - Dragonbear and the West
From IAF Continued Conversations by FNF - International Academy for Leadership (IAF)
October 21, 2025 · 1h 9m · Episode 40
About this episode
The episode discusses the pressures on the liberal world order and the implications of shifting power dynamics between Russia and China.
The liberal world order is under pressure. Geopolitics is not making a comeback — it was never gone. In this episode of IAF Continued Conversations, hosts Bettina Solinger and Sven Gerst talk with geopolitical strategist Velina Tchakarova about shifting power dynamics, strategic uncertainties, and what the “bifurcation” of the global order really means. From the “Dragonbear” axis between Russia and China to Europe’s strategic hesitation, this conversation explores how liberal democracies can respond to a more competitive, fragmented world.
People in this episode
Hosts: Bettina Solinger, Sven Gerst
Guest: Velina Tchakarova
Topics covered
- geopolitics
- power dynamics
- global order
- liberal democracies
- strategic uncertainties
- Dragonbear axis
Keywords
- liberal world order
- geopolitics
- power politics
- Dragonbear
- strategic hesitation
- bifurcation
- global order
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Russia, China, Europe
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