Key Highlights
- In early 2026, however, it has surged into mainstream discourse as a recurring keyword across news channels, think tank debates, and social media conversations. This resurgence is driven by two intertwined narratives.
- One is a legitimate geopolitical analysis of shifting global power dynamics, accelerated by President Donald Trump’s second-term policies.
- The other is a longstanding conspiracy theory alleging a secret elite plot for world domination. Trump’s actions, including US intervention in Venezuela, threats to annex Greenland, and mass withdrawals from international organizations, have fueled both interpretations.
- Real-world geopolitical shocks are amplifying conspiratorial fears, creating a feedback loop where facts and fiction increasingly blur in public debate. Below is a detailed exploration of both dimensions, drawing on historical context, academic analysis, and recent global developments. Part 1: The Geopolitical Meaning — Trump’s ‘America First’ and the End of the Post-War OrderIn its geopolitical sense, the “New World Order” refers to a fundamental reconfiguration of international relations, institutions, and power balances. The term was popularized in its modern form by President George H. W.
- Bush in 1990 to describe a post–Cold War era of US-led multilateralism, liberal democracy, and rules-based global governance.
