The Editor's Briefing | The National

This newsletter comes to you from the snowy alpine town of Davos, where I am wrapping up a week participating in the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting. It has been, by all means, the most dynamic Davos meeting I have attended in 19 years of coming here. And that is in no small part due to US President Donald Trump, who has shaken the international political system in an unprecedented fashion.

“We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition”. The most impactful speech given from the main stage in Davos – that will be remembered for years to come – was not that of Mr Trump, but rather Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. His description of a rupture was repeated time and time again throughout the week. The rupture, while mostly describing the transatlantic relationship, also refers to the rupture in the international order. America’s ties with Canada and Europe are strained in a way not seen in modern memory, and that was on full display in Davos.

The head of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, noted cynically in the closing session that “there has been a lot of Europe-bashing this week ... but it is good,” as it is forcing an honest rethink on the continent. Europe is having to reconsider its place in the world. It is clear there is no going back to a full European reliance on the US for security and technology, leading to a challenge to Europe but also putting a spotlight on America’s dramatically changing approach to world affairs.

Part of that change is Mr Trump’s launch of the “Board of Peace” in Davos this week. While members of the board largely seek to focus on Gaza and Palestine, Mr Trump indicated their work can expand. He offered a number of muted concessions, including saying he would seek to work with the UN and on a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.

As prominent as the presence of Mr Trump and major chief executives – including Elon Musk for the first time – was, the absence of others was also notable. The UN Secretary General was due to attend but had to pull out for personal reasons. Defence of the international order was left to UN leaders such as the head of the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher and UNHCR High Commissioner Barham Salih, both of whom I spoke to at Davos.

The most high-profile leader from the Middle East was going to be the Syrian President, Ahmad Al Shara, but he pulled out at the last minute due to internal fighting. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was uninvited, in a public move from the Forum to distance itself from the Iranian government as protests in the country are met with forceful suppression.

As Davos wraps up and 3,000 participants head home, questions about the future of government and international relations remain. What is clear is that turbulence is here to stay.

Wishing you less turbulence and a good weekend,