THE echoes of a unipolar world, where one nation dictated the course of global events without question, are fading. The 21st century is a multipolar reality, shaped by the rise of nations like China, Russia, India, Brazil, and others in the Global South. It is a world where the arrogance of dominance no longer has a place. Yet, some Western powers, most notably the United States, seem reluctant to embrace this new paradigm. The global community, however, has made its position clear: the era of the bully is over.

America’s ambitions, as outlined in Donald Trump’s inaugural address, reflect a desire to reclaim unchallenged authority. Trump’s rhetoric about defending American interests and restoring its strength might resonate well within the US borders, but on the global stage, it reeks of nostalgia for a world order that no longer exists. The rest of the world is no longer content to be spectators or subordinates. Instead, nations are standing firm, insisting on their right to sovereignty and respect in global affairs.

One glaring example of the West’s unwillingness to relinquish its bullyboy tendencies is the ongoing sanctions imposed on nations like Zimbabwe. Decades after the end of colonial rule, Zimbabwe continues to groan under the weight of ‘targeted’ sanctions that, in reality, have crippled its economy and punished its people. These sanctions, justified under the pretence of promoting democracy and human rights, expose the deep insincerity of the West. They have done little to advance democratic values and much to exacerbate poverty, stifle development, and erode the very rights they claim to protect.

Zimbabwe is not an isolated case. The use of economic sanctions as a tool of coercion has become the hallmark of Western foreign policy, particularly that of the United States. Cuba, Venezuela, Iran and others have endured similar fates, their economies strangled by measures that claim to target leaders but inevitably harm ordinary citizens. These sanctions reveal the West’s hypocrisy, as it lectures others on justice and sovereignty while undermining both through its actions.

The global response to such heavy-handed tactics is increasingly one of defiance. Nations in the Global South have grown weary of being treated as pawns in a geopolitical chess game. They see Western powers wielding tools like sanctions, trade restrictions and military interventions not as acts of justice but as means to maintain dominance. And they are pushing back.

Regional alliances and economic blocs such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are reshaping the world order. These initiatives prioritise mutual benefit, non-interference and equitable partnerships. They signal a collective determination to break free from the economic and political stranglehold of the West.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative, for instance, is emblematic of this shift. It represents an alternative to Western-led development paradigms. Similarly, Russia’s assertive diplomacy, Brazil’s regional leadership and Africa’s push for self-reliance are all indications that the world is no longer willing to tolerate a single narrative imposed by Western powers.

History shows that bullying breeds resistance, not submission. Whether in Zimbabwe, where the Government and united people have kept the nation afloat despite Western attempts to isolate it, or in Iran, where sanctions have failed to collapse the government, the futility of coercive tactics is clear. The world’s tolerance for such measures has worn thin, as nations increasingly question the legitimacy and morality of Western dominance.

The West, particularly the United States, must recognise that its actions on the global stage are no longer above reproach. If it wishes to remain relevant in a multipolar world, it must abandon the pulpit reserved for bullies. Respect, not coercion, is the currency of influence in this new era.