The International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES)[1] based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, regularly conducts analyses of events spanning the Middle East, the Balkans, and global affairs. Bogoljub J. Karić, an inspiring figure, philanthropist, and visionary, shares his geopolitical thoughts and reflections on Serbia's future. We are publishing his article titled "Geopolitical vision of the future: Serbia in the new global order" in its entirety.
The world is experiencing tectonic shifts that will define the geopolitical landscape for decades to come. The emergence of a multipolar world, driven by the rise of China, Russia, and other BRICS members, poses a challenge that compels the United States to redefine its strategy for global leadership. President Donald Trump, with his vision of a "super-state," is ushering in a new era in which America will seek to preserve its dominance in increasingly complex circumstances.
The global balance of power is undergoing a transformation. BRICS, led by Russia, China, and India, is challenging the Western economic and political order. Despite its enormous potential due to its demographics, natural resources and markets, the alliance suffers from a major shortcoming – the lack of a cohesive military force to safeguard its assets and maintain geopolitical stability.
This very weakness presents an opportunity for the United States. President Trump recognised that America’s future lies in the creation of a unified, integrated entity – a super-state that would dominate across all spheres: from the economy and technology to military and geopolitical power. His vision includes integrating Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal into the United States. These territories are not only geographically significant – they are crucial for the strategic and economic power of America’s future:
● Canada provides vast natural resources and a stable economic system.
● Greenland, with its strategic location and mineral wealth, opens the gateway to the Arctic and its energy potential.
● The Panama Canal, a critical point in global trade, would symbolically and strategically return under US control.
Trump’s idea is not merely a momentary vision but a plan that will transform the global order over the next 200 years.
Unlike the BRICS alliance led by President Putin – widely regarded as the leading architect of a multipolar world, with its undeniable economic strength but lacking a robust military foundation – the American strategy prioritises military dominance. Trump’s vision is based on the principle that a stable economy cannot exist without peace in the world, and global peace is unattainable without the safeguarding presence of formidable military power, or, as he famously states, "Peace through strength," meaning that peace can only be preserved if one is strong enough to deter others from launching an attack. While this strategy is not new, it now takes on a new dimension through significant investments in space technologies and emerging forms of warfare.
Elon Musk, driven by Tesla’s visionary approach and his projects in the space industry, is emerging as a pivotal figure in this transition. Musk is likely to spearhead the development of space-based military capabilities and advanced satellite systems that will redefine the way global conflicts are waged. Musk’s vision is compellingly articulated in his statement: “We need to expand the scope and scale of consciousness so that we’re better able to understand the nature of the universe and understand the meaning of life”[2]. I firmly believe that future wars will no longer be fought in forests and fields but through satellites and in outer space. These developments are shaping a new geopolitical reality in which the US aims to retain its status as the dominant power.
In this context, the crucial question arises: where does Serbia position itself in the new global order? As a small country, Serbia faces the challenge of making a crucial decision about the course of its foreign policy. Neutrality, often presented as an option, can prove dangerous in the long run. The geopolitical reality is clear – the world is dividing into alliances and spheres of influence, and countries that fail to choose a side risk falling into marginalisation, or even disappearance, in the decades to come.
Serbia needs to adopt a broader perspective and identify allies that can provide stability, security, and progress. A referendum on the nation’s strategic orientation could prove to be a vital instrument, allowing the Serbian people to determine their future path. Without a clear direction, Serbia risks becoming collateral damage in the global conflicts of interest among major powers.
Beyond geopolitical and economic considerations, a return to fundamental values is also essential. Trump’s vision is not solely based on economic and military growth but also on the revival of traditional family values. Family, faith, and community are once again becoming the cornerstones of future civilisation. Serbia, as a country with a rich tradition and Orthodox identity, can find its place within this vision.
The world is entering a new era where multipolar dynamics clash with the aspirations of individual powers to dominate. The American vision of a "super-state," championed by President Trump, aims to ensure global stability through integration and strength. On the other hand, BRICS and other alliances offer an alternative but face limitations that leave them vulnerable to external challenges.
For Serbia, this is a critical moment to position itself within the new global order and define its own geopolitical vision for the future. A referendum on its foreign policy course is more than just a present-day issue – it is a matter of survival of future generations. Our responsibility to our children and grandchildren is to choose the right ally and ensure a peaceful and secure future.
About the author:
Bogoljub J. Karić, born in 1954 in Peć/Peja, holds a degree in geography from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Priština. He earned his master's degree in "Organization and Development of Small Business" from the Faculty of Economics in Niš. In 1971, alongside his three brothers and sister, he established the family business "Braća Karić" in Peć. In 1971, alongside his three brothers and sister, he established the family-owned factory "Braća Karić" in Peć. Over nearly half a century, he expanded this business into a large-scale company operating across various sectors globally, including telecommunications, construction, finance, education, media, trade, etc. He serves as a member of the IFIMES Advisory Board, the President of the International Committee "Nikola Tesla," an expert with the UN Sustainable Development Programme, a member of the UN Global Marketplace, and a contributor to the UN "AI for Good" initiative. Karić is recognised as a pioneer and reformer of capitalism in Yugoslavia and Gorbachev's Russia, as well as a visionary, innovator, philanthropist, and architect of the new global economic order.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect IFIMES official position.
Ljubljana/Belgrade 10 February 2025
[1] IFIMES - International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has a special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council ECOSOC/UN in New York since 2018, and it is the publisher of the international scientific journal “European Perspectives”, link: https://www.europeanperspectives.org/en
[2] Politico: The 199 Most Elon Musk Things Elon Musk Has Ever Said. Available at: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/01/24/199-elon-musk-quotes-00199008
