The last decade of the 20th century, and the first of the 21st, have seen the beginning of a process of sweeping international change, marked by a historic transfer of wealth from west to east.
Political power is following more slowly, but the inexorable process seems certain to make for a bumpy ride in international relations for the foreseeable future. The new US president will have to manage not merely the financial consequences of recession, but the political consequences of that power shift.
