Defining time. The World undergoing a shift. A shift of power. A shift of politics. A shift of ideologies. Many countries are redrawing their strategies. The US is struggling to enter its last year before elections with the hope of fulfilling some key promises to its constituents. The UK is stuck between Brexit deal or not to deal dilemma as Theresa May scrambles to save her government. France is very edgy about the continuous unrest of the yellow jacket activists. And India in our neighbourhood is playing hide and seek with Pakistan across border. Amidst this geo-political chaos the world has become wary and tired of huge rhetoric of all sorts of claims with not very positive results.
The big powers are divided. Within the European Union there is a crisis. Traditionally, Germany has been the financial guarantor where Angela Merkel's iron hand dealing of helping European countries who are struggling financially has bailed the lesser partners out. The UK is the lead on political directions and France on paving the way for the EU and the US alliances or differences on cross-Atlantic decisions. All three are struggling to retain their waning political credibility. Merkel has won a fourth election but is much weakened and thus is too busy mustering strength to exercise her policy power. French President Macron's economic reforms have created a resentment that has become a constant political irritant. And May has yet to solve the problem of 'May be' or 'May be not'.
Trump has trumped as usual with some knee jerk policy initiatives. His change of heart towards Afghanistan and Pakistan is as uneasy as was his belligerence. Realizing that his electoral time is running out he has gone into this "let us get out of Afghanistan" mold where he is rushing his ambassadors all over South Asia and the Middle East to broker a peace deal with Taliban. His style of leadership has always been controversial. He appealed to the white American resentful nationals against immigrants and managed to win the election. In his opinion as the next election becomes due his ability to read a scorecard which ticks the number of boxes he had promised to his vote base will be enough for another term.
In Asia, China and India are practising different styles of leadership. President Xi Jinping has demonstrated a more distinctive style and has shown willingness to share decision making down the lines. To reduce the power of the politburo he has set up a number of leading groups for various decision making areas. Globally, he has established China's credentials as a trade and economic juggernaut that is willing to share the benefits with the region and those willing to jump on his band wagon. The One Belt One Road Initiative covers over 150 countries and is now termed as the new Eurasia hub. Within the CPEC the desire to invite other countries also conveys a softer and accommodating approach compared to his predecessors.
As Indian elections take place Modi's leadership is on a severe test. Modi has been very open in his preference for an extreme right wing nationalistic agenda which did win him an election but made Indian leadership look dubious. India by dint of their economic power has amassed global support and voice but Modi's personal leadership has failed to add to the Indian dominance globally. His attempt to militarily subjugate Pakistan failed miserably when claims of Balakot bombing proving false. International media really exposed their hollow claims and though his party BJP feels that this show of bravado will fool the voters into re electing him, Modi has a lot of collateral damage to make up for.
As the world was getting confused on what leadership actually means and whether the principles of leadership were practical in today's world, the New Zealand livestreamed massacre happened. On the face of it, it was a terrible tragedy. It was a manifestation of a world that has become increasingly divided. A world that is struggling to understand whether love is mere talk and hate is real action. A world where might is right dominates any value system. A world where leadership is all about making people feel superior on the basis of their colour, religion and creed. Amidst all this chaos and adversity, rise hope and opportunity.
From one of the smallest country in the world rises one of the tallest leader. New Zealand, one of the last countries to be discovered, has a population of barely 5 million and is rarely in news except for its sports activity. However New Zealand is a country that has been trending on social media ever since Friday the 15th of March when 50 people offering prayers were killed by one man. Blasts and shootings do get breaking headlines; there are the usual condemnations and controversies and hardly a week later the topic gets filed. However this episode has made the world look at a leader who stands heads up on the leadership pedestal in the current world- New Zealand Prime minister Jacinda Andern.
In Asia, from a country long perceived as dangerously violent in the world, rises another leader to defuse perhaps one of the most dangerous conflicts of Asia, Imran Khan. Pakistan has had its share of terrorism problems at home and across border. Modi in his bid to fuel war in South Asia to take the Pulwama revenge violated the borders of Pakistan. Their plane was shot and the pilot was released by PM Imran Khan. The easiest thing would have been to get into a teaching the lesson mode. Pakistan under PM Imran Khan talked about peace and made all peace gestures to make Modi look and sound immature. For a country tainted with the terror label this display of peace made the international media look at the PM as a leader to be respected.
Both New Zealand and Pakistan are not the typical countries to produce global leadership. Despite being so different what commonality did their respective leadership display and get international appreciation? It was based on a set of universal principles and values. Jacinda talked of empathy and respect for other religions while many bigger leaders are promoting intolerance and disrespect. Imran Khan offered peace and dialogue in the midst of war and polarization. New Zealand Prime Minister averted a reaction in Muslim community and Imran Khan averted a war in the most dangerous nuclear neighbourhood. As somebody wrote "In a world full of Trumps and Modis, be Jacinda, be Imran."
(The writer can be reached at andleeb.abbas1@gmail.com)