This article deals with the concept of multilateralism, its basic meaning, coordinates and constructive functions, but also its limitations and constraints that – both theoretically and pragmatically – the idea of multilateralism faces in its attempt to pose the question to which there is no a consensual answer so far: does multilateralism provide the ideal paradigm for the construct, security and functioning of the future world order?

From the Editor

This year’s edition of the Munich Security Conference, the main international event in the month of February and the last with direct participation before the COVID-19 pandemic being fully acknowledged, was defining for the way Europeans and Americans see the world and the transatlantic relationship. The setting of the stage (the event focused on „Westlesness”), the American and European representation (Great Britain absent and Germany not represented by its chancellor) and the views exposed led to a couple of conclusions. Firstly, the US focus on the great power competition and its calls to the European allies to join it against China, in exchange for reassurances on the transatlantic bond. Secondly, the lack of EU unity and cohesion (the only representative leader was Emmanuel Macron, who presented a vision of Europe that was more French than European) that could translate into an even weaker European voice on the international stage, especially after UK leaving the Union.

Born in 1945 out of the ashes of the Second World War, the United Nations Organization was created – in the words of Dag Hammarskjold, its second Secretary-General – “not to lead the mankind to heaven but to safe humanity from hell”.

The Partnership between Romania and the US is both a major benchmark of the Romanian foreign policy and a firm commitment, which defines our options. The cooperation between Romania and the United States has been and will always be all the more valuable and mutually beneficial, as during the years of cooperation there have been many successful strategic accomplishments, in response to the new challenges to the allied security. The Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership for the 21st century, in 2011, has boosted the relations and is the main bilateral political document that enhances our common security and prosperity.

The national identity of Lebanon was created after World War I, when in 1918, the famous British-French agreements – named after their engineers, the Englishman, Mike Sykes and the Frenchman, Francis-Georges Picot – divided the Middle East between France and Great Britain, following the principle 'divide et impera'.

What looks to the world as another “color revolution,” this time in Belarus after the August 9 presidential election, outgrew and overwhelmed an initial Russian operation against the disobedient President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Regime change remains Moscow’s political objective in Belarus. This is defined as easing out President Alyaksandr Lukashenka with his assent, as part of an internal constitutional settlement.

According to recent research, 65 per cent of Serbian citizens support the strengthening of co-operation between Serbia and the United States in the fields of security, defence and economy.

Over the past two decades, the hub of global economic prowess has shifted to Asia, and most importantly, East Asia. Consequently, to advance the policy objectives of international peace and security, prosperity, cooperation for climate change and most importantly, preserving multilateralism, engagement with East Asian nations is sine qua non for Europe. At regional and international levels interaction between Europe and East Asia are shaping the policies and outlook of countries in both regions.

For several decades, we have witnessed deep, rapid and often unexpected transformations in international relations. Emerging economies have gradually become the engine of the world economy, and in terms of international relations, they have reconfigured the balance of power, so that the triad made up of the United States, the European Union and Japan was joined by the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), but also other countries, such as Indonesia and Turkey, with ambitious foreign policy goals.