Lowy Institute Globalisation always wins: Parag Khanna on the emerging world order, Iran, and Asia's multipolar future
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Apr 14, 2026 
Parag Khanna, geopolitical strategist and bestselling author, offers a brisk tour of a changing world order. He discusses the Iran conflict as a sign of multipolar proxy dynamics. He explores why power is contextual across regions. He argues globalization keeps deepening despite shocks. He highlights middle-power multi-alignment and Asia’s shifting balance.
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Iran War As Symptom Of Multipolarity
- The Iran war exemplifies multipolarity where states like Iran are backstopped by China and Russia, turning conflicts into proxy wars.
- Parag Khanna cites Iran's multi-alignment practice and geographic position as reasons it can be fortified by other powers.
Order Varies By Region Not A Single Structure
- Power structures vary by context: unipolarity in one region and multipolarity in another, so global order must be read bottom-up.
- Khanna notes Europe could be a major pole and that regional contexts (Western Hemisphere, Middle East, Indo-Pacific) differ.
Iran Reinforces Multi‑Alignment Thesis
- Iran's multi-alignment is longstanding and predictable rather than surprising.
- Khanna says many middle powers, including Iran, look in all directions to secure the best deals, reinforcing his earlier thesis.
