
The liberal world order eroded from within as trust declined, globalization bred inequality, and populism rose—from Iraq in 2003 to the 2008 crisis and Covid era—weakening global institutions.
The United States shifts from post-war leadership to nationalism and unilateralism, disrupting alliances, withdrawing from key agreements, and prompting Europe to hedge with independent defense.
George W. Bush's 2001 response to September 11 frames attacks as an act of war, defining America’s pursuit of freedom against international terrorism and shaping the United States' policy options.
The United States demands the Taliban hand over Al-Qaeda leaders, release foreign nationals, protect journalists and aid workers, and close all terrorist camps with full access for verification.
Analyze the 2022 US national security strategy toward China, outlining a threefold approach: invest in American competitiveness and innovation, align with allies, and compete responsibly in the Indo-Pacific.
China builds a parallel global order rooted in sovereignty and non-interference, expanding influence with money, ports, roads, and the Belt and Road Initiative, while promoting true multilateralism against the US.
Putin's 2007 Munich speech signals Russia's unhappiness with the West and the unipolar world order. He condemns U.S. democracy and highlights Western hypocrisy, foreshadowing future tensions.
Reframes European security as an equal tripartite partnership among Russia, the United States, and Europe, challenging Atlanticism in Dmitry Medvedev's 2008 Berlin speech.
Macron advocates a Europe-led, transparent de-escalation framework to secure a stable peace with Russia, addressing Belarus and Ukraine’s security guarantees, negotiating at the table.
China and Russia maintain a bond between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, driven by regime survival and opposition to US hegemony, pursuing a multipolar order with arms sales in Asia.
The rules are shifting. Fast.
For decades, the world followed a clear script — the US led, institutions enforced, and wars followed familiar lines. That era is over.
Now we’re watching something new emerge:
Old alliances falling apart
China and Russia rewriting the playbook
Europe trying to stand on its own
Global institutions losing control
The US unsure of its own role
But the biggest problem? Most people are still stuck thinking in 20th-century terms.
Why this course exists
If you feel lost trying to make sense of today’s global mess, you’re not alone.
News coverage is shallow
Most lectures are full of jargon
And politicians sound like they’re reading from outdated scripts
This course gives you something better: a clear, structured way to understand how power is shifting in real time — and what that means for the future.
Whether you’re a student, a policymaker, or just someone who wants to sound smarter at dinner, this course is for you.
What you’ll learn
You’ll follow five tight, focused sections — packed with real speeches, modern strategies, practice activities, and clear takeaways.
PART I: The Fragmentation of the Global Order
How the post-WWII system broke down
Why the UN, WTO, and IMF are struggling
What happens when no one’s in charge
4 Quick Quizzes
PART II: The Legacy of US Order: 9/11 to 2022
Bush’s post-9/11 strategy and its long shadow
What the 2022 National Security Strategy says about America today
2 Practice Activities
PART III: China in the Great Power Competition
How China is challenging US power — without firing a shot
What Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road plan really means
1 Quiz + 1 Practice Activity
PART IV: Russia’s Strategy of Disruption
Why Putin doesn’t want to lead the order — he wants to break it
Russia’s war strategy, propaganda machine, and use of chaos
1 Quiz + 2 Practice Activities
PART V: Europe’s Quest for Strategic Autonomy
Can Europe be a real power — or is it stuck in the middle?
What Macron and von der Leyen are really saying
1 Quiz + 2 Practice Activities
What you get
Clear video lectures
Downloadable handouts
Practice activities that make you think like a real analyst
Quizzes to track your progress
Real-world examples that connect the dots
AI-powered Role Plays - so you can practice in a kind of virtual sandbox, before you take your skills IRL
Who it’s for
Students of international politics or global studies
Analysts, consultants, or journalists needing sharper insight
Curious learners who want to actually understand the headlines
You don’t need a politics degree. You just need curiosity and a willingness to think.
Take the course. Watch the world make more sense.
From My Students:
"The course was very informative and helpful, and I will apply the knowledge I gain. The lecturer was incredibly fantastic. He explain all the concepts and the definitions of all the topics."
"Dr. Zwolski truly has teaching skills. He is a straightforward professor and his videos are both interesting and valuable."
"The course is really informative and provides a very in-depth analysis of several complex topics which otherwise would have been quite difficult to understand."
"The instructor is a good lecturer. Interesting material presented clearly and concisely."
"The lectures have been made very simple to understand! Kamil is doing an amazing job!"
"Crisp and clear videos, to the point, can be watched easily on the mobile phone."
"Wow! If your reading the comments and debating on whether or not to take this course,TAKE IT! If you read The Economist, Forbes, taking classes on International relations, or stationed on a foreign base, this class is for you! After this you should be able to decipher mainstream media news outlets! Semper Fi!"