Here we are. We’ve reached the point many saw coming: US President Trump is bringing the world closer to the brink of war, abandoning Western allies and putting his country up for grabs. The uncertainty and fear spread in his discourse are immensely worrying for development and international peace, not to mention consequences on mental health, as we find ourselves consuming increasingly distressing news daily. The Shock Doctrine developed by Naomi Klein has never felt more relevant, showing once again the importance of remaining critical and calm in times of crises. So, I watched. I rested. And finally, I reflected. In this letter, I share my thoughts on the current state of the world and, as a European, my perspective on how to move forward in what seems to be the verge of World War III.
Today, the same country which history and pride was built on the values of freedom and human rights is siding with authoritarian regimes that seek to control means of power. With new policies that restrict press freedom and silence critics, the US is on its way to enslave its population (and beyond) under propaganda and surveillance reminding me of Orwell’s 1984. Between the blatant lies about Russia’s aggression of Ukraine, the attempts to dismantle education and international aid programmes, and the enabling of incredible atrocities in Palestine, it is absolutely clear in which direction the US government is headed: totalitarianism. The days we could rely on the US as our partner are really gone. Commenting on the Trump-Zelensky meeting that shocked the world, I share the assessment of French Senator Claude Malhuret: the US President should be seen as a traitor. Ukraine has been nothing but a victim in this giant proxy war of interests between Russia and the “West” (read: the military industrial complex). Despite having lost close to 150,000 innocent lives in constant attacks, Ukraine has been fighting strong to uphold the ideals of democracy and freedom on the old continent. We simply can’t take it for granted anymore.
My dear fellow Europeans, the time is now.
The time has come for us to show exactly who we are: principled, fair, and transparent. I see the opportunity of a century for Europe to show that there is hope for humanity. I see the tide changing, truly. It will be a whirlwind, but it will be worth it. Are you with me?
It’s important to acknowledge our failures in this global crisis. As argued by Suzanne Schneider, we should be very honest about how feeble our liberal systems have been and how inadequate the abstract notions of universal human rights are to address injustice. Despite our International Courts and Treaties, we failed to prevent genocide. At home, we failed to make our political system accessible and inclusive. We failed to support small enterprises, we failed to encourage tech startups, and we failed to convince each other of the utility of cooperation. Yes, I believe we bear a part of responsibility in the current global escalation of violence, hatred, and division. It’s time to be transparent about it.
Above all, we failed to meaningfully support our allies. Our neighbours, who have fought bravely against authoritarianism, have sought assistance for years with the hope of joining our self-proclaimed peace community. Ukrainians have been some of the most inspiring people I met. I remember vividly walking the streets of Kyiv with my friend Katya, telling me how her classmates stood up on Maidan square ready for the revolution in the Winter of 2013. With tears in her eyes, she told me about the Heavenly Hundred Heroes who died on that square, killed by their own government under the influence of Vladimir Putin. To be honest, the Ukraine crisis made me realise what it means to be European. Being European means fighting for our values not because they are better or morally superior, but because they are enshrined in our DNA. Being European means standing up for justice and freedom no matter what, like Ukrainians have done for the last decade, despite continuous violence and manipulation from the Kremlin.
I cannot look at the politicians we elected and see “leaders”. They are not. They do the bare minimum. They are cowards. Our politicians promised us peace, and all I see is how they abandoned my friends. They abandoned my friend Hadil, whose home in Gaza was destroyed with unspeakable violence, her family left to die in atrocities our eyes were never meant to witness. They abandoned our friends in Congo, whose enduring suffering suddenly isn’t even worth their attention. They abandoned my friend Katya, whose nation has been massacred and bombarded daily. Katya, I hope my words reach you. I hope you’re alive and well.
Dear Europeans, we would abandon ourselves if would continue to let that happen.
Building systems that protect the principles of our communities has been and will always be our strongest skillset. From the French Revolution of 1789 to Solidarność and the fall of communism, we have consistently showed that we are capable of engineering a better future. We have so much experience organising ourselves, leading by example in solidarity, dismantling oligarchy, and protesting against what’s unfair. We must continue to advocate for justice, because without justice there cannot be peace.
Let’s be clear: peace will not come from destruction, retaliation, or any form of violence. While I understand the need to be capable of defending ourselves, we need to do so the European way. Before we “rearm” Europe, we need to make clear what we’re fighting for. Countless lives have been sacrificed for the sake of “strategic autonomy” and “principled pragmatism”, empty words that did nothing to stop the disaster unfolding today. Enough. We need to awake the peaceful giant we are. Now is the time to speak up. For justice, for liberty, for peace, and for the millions of people worldwide who count on us to do the right thing. We need to be heard loud and clear. If not, I fear we’ll embark on a path-dependent shift towards a world ruled by anxiety and mistrust. History will remember this moment. Will it remember us as bystanders, or as the generation that reclaimed justice and peace?
George Orwell wrote:
“There are only four ways in which a ruling group can fall from power. Either it is conquered from without, or it governs so inefficiently that the masses are stirred to revolt, or it allows a strong and discontented Middle Group to come into being, or it loses its own self-confidence and willingness to govern. These causes do not operate singly, and as a rule all four of them are present in some degree. ”
What this means is simple: political power depends on our consent, and history shows that when people reject tyranny, regimes fall. We, students, workers, and artists, are the leaders of the free world. And as such, it is our responsibility to preserve peace, as without it we cannot be free. Orwell’s words call for the following: (1) organise to denounce tyranny, (2) expose the tyrants’ failures, (3) take away their credibility, and (4) empower those who fight them. I’ve seen each of these processes slowly take shape. I’ve seen folks from around the world transition from shock and fear to anger and action, whether it’s crypto bros condemning fraud or democracy activists rallying forces. Lean into it. Many have been scammed into believing a lie about prosperity that was in fact coercing them into despair. Many others have been fooled into believing the lesser of two evils would be enough to lead the global transformation we so urgently need. If only we’d listen to each other instead of power-hungry people.
More than ever, we should overcome our fears, admit our mistakes, take risks, and once more engineer a better future. I don’t know yet how, but I know for sure we’ll figure out if we work together. If I learned anything during my ten years studying international politics, it is the power of seizing timely windows of opportunities. This, right now, is a huge one. We cannot miss it. Europe has always reached new heights when it leads with courage, solidarity, and hope. This is our moment.
Stand up. Speak out. Be heard. For justice. For peace.
Sophie L. Vériter
Hi, I’m Sophie
I am a political scientist and democracy activist. In my work, I explore the intersection of technology, information, and security. Nothing makes me happier than learning and discovering the wonders of the world. I consider myself an enthusiastic feminist and self-care advocate.
