The Big Story "It's not coming back": Carney turns the page on old world order
Jan 21, 2026
John Wright, CEO of Canada Pulse Insights and experienced political analyst, joins to discuss Mark Carney's impactful speech at Davos. They explore Carney's call for new alliances and the implications for international relations in a world redefining its boundaries. Wright highlights the risks Canada faces in confronting U.S. policies and the need to strengthen ties with countries like China. He also raises concerns about Canada's dependence on U.S. trade while evaluating military commitments in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Old World Order Has Ended
- Mark Carney declared the old world order is collapsing and urged countries to accept a new geopolitical reality.
- John Wright says acknowledging that rupture is necessary to forge pragmatic, asymmetric alliances outside past assumptions.
Havel's Grocer Example
- Carney used Václav Havel's grocer window anecdote to show how a long-accepted lie collapses when people stop pretending.
- Wright cites the story to argue that recognizing false assumptions enables realistic, new alignments.
Middle Powers Must Move Together
- Carney urged middle powers to call out coercive tactics and build new alliances rather than mourn past institutions.
- John Wright calls this a likely defining doctrine for Canada's foreign policy under the prime minister.