Prepare for a world of ad hoc coalitions
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alexander Stubb argue that the post-1945 global order is giving way to a more fragmented, multipolar world, requiring countries to move beyond both traditional multilateralism and power politics. In a joint opinion article, they propose a "values-based realism" that emphasizes flexible, issue-specific coalitions among countries with shared interests, even when broader political differences remain. The leaders contend that these ad hoc partnerships — in areas such as defense, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence — will better equip middle powers like Canada and Finland to address evolving geopolitical and technological challenges.
