Zaki Laïdi: New Non-Aligned 'Hedgers' Have Means to Achieve Ambitions
In an interview with Le Figaro, Sciences Po professor Zaki Laïdi discusses the emergence of a new category of non-aligned countries, termed 'hedgers,' which strategically position themselves on the fringes of Sino-American competition. Unlike the homogeneous Non-Aligned Movement of the Cold War era, this modern group lacks a unified consciousness but converges through successive global crises. The eight identified nations include India, Indonesia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Qatar. Laïdi, co-author of 'How the Global South Navigates the Sino-American Competition,' argues that these states possess the necessary resources to realize their geopolitical ambitions. The analysis also touches on potential US foreign policy shifts, noting that a hypothetical return of Donald Trump to the White House in 2025 would likely target countries used by China to circumvent export restrictions. This perspective highlights a significant shift in international relations where middle powers leverage their strategic autonomy to navigate great power rivalry without fully aligning with either Washington or Beijing.
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Zaki Laïdi: New Non-Aligned 'Hedgers' Have Means to Achieve Ambitions
In an interview with Le Figaro, Sciences Po professor Zaki Laïdi discusses the emergence of a new category of non-aligned countries, termed 'hedgers,' which strategically position themselves on the fringes of Sino-American competition. Unlike the homogeneous Non-Aligned Movement of the Cold War era, this modern group lacks a unified consciousness but converges through successive global crises. The eight identified nations include India, Indonesia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Qatar. Laïdi, co-author of 'How the Global South Navigates the Sino-American Competition,' argues that these states possess the necessary resources to realize their geopolitical ambitions. The analysis also touches on potential US foreign policy shifts, noting that a hypothetical return of Donald Trump to the White House in 2025 would likely target countries used by China to circumvent export restrictions. This perspective highlights a significant shift in international relations where middle powers leverage their strategic autonomy to navigate great power rivalry without fully aligning with either Washington or Beijing.
lefigaro