Is this a new imperial age? Donald Trump says Europe is on its own. Vladimir Putin stands ready to gobble it up. Xi Jinping eyes up Taiwan. Welcome to the Great Game of the new age.
Trump, Putin, Xi carve up the world
Divvying it up: Putin, Xi and Trump are all accused of trying to expand their national boundaries, whether by threat or by force. Glossary
Pope - The bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church.
Donald Trump - An American politician, media personality, and businessman serving as the 47th president of the United States since January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
Subsidise - Pay part of the cost of something to keep the price low. Governments often subsidise the cost of essential goods.
JD Vance - James David Vance is the US vice president under Donald Trump.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Panama Canal - A manmade shipping lane that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is owned by Panama.
allies - An ally is someone that aligns with and supports a cause with another individual or group of people.
Imperialism - The practice of growing a country's power through colonisation or force.
Acolytes - One who helps or follows another, especially in a religious context of those assisting a priest.
Apex - Top.
Soft power - A kind of power based on shaping the preferences of others through appeal and incentives. It is contrasted with hard power, based on simple coercion.
Cajole - Persuade or coax.
Belt and Road Initiative - China aims to build a “new silk road” through Asia to boost trade and extend its economic and political influence.