Source: The Realist Review
by Anatol Lieven
“If there are still historians in 100 years time, and if some of them still know Latin, then they may see Trump’s speech to the United Nations General Assembly as a key symbolic moment in the latest round of Translatio Imperii: the process whereby imperial rule and legitimacy passes from one state to another. In the present era, that means how global leadership, and the leading role in defining global norms, passes from the United States to China. … Generally in history, the Translatio Imperii has been accompanied and driven by great military catastrophes. With luck, this time that will not be necessary. If the Chinese leadership is sensible, after listening to Trump’s speech they will sit back, have some tea, continue quietly with their existing policies and watch the United States destroy its own empire.” (09/24/25)
https://therealistreview.substack.com/p/nero-at-the-united-nations