‘Mini’ Circle Talk Explores Global Impact of the War in Ukraine

Daniel Drezner, professor of International Politics at Tufts University, delivered a “mini” Circle Talk in the Forum on Thursday evening, January 26. About fifty students listened attentively as Professor Drezner explained how globalization stumbled with the Great Recession of 2008–09 and has been in full retreat since more recent events, especially the coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

He detailed how the pandemic threw global trade off balance as countries responded by shutting down their borders to goods and people, thus disrupting supply chains. He described how the war in Ukraine negatively impacted economies in Russia and Europe—as well as many countries in Africa and the Middle East—when the war cut off access to their main source of wheat. He then pivoted to a discussion of East Asia and how China’s aggressive foreign policy, combined with the United States’ more tepid engagement, has created uncertainty about the future in that crucial part of the world.

Professor Drezner was not ready to proclaim the end of globalization. Indeed, he tried to be optimistic, pointing to the relative success of democracies in coping with both the pandemic and the expansionist aspirations of some national leaders, such as Vladimir Putin. But he cautioned that it could be a long time before the world regains the enthusiasm for globalization that marked the beginning of this century. And, he opined that—should globalization continue to weaken—the world would become less prosperous and more dangerous.

Professor Drezner expressed hope that younger people will see the urgent need for greater international cooperation. In an email a few days after his talk at Groton, he remarked, “It was great to see high school students so engaged in the subject matter, despite its depressing nature.” 

Students who attended his talk were equally grateful that Professor Drezner came to Groton to share his expertise. Alisa Gulyansky ’24, who recently wrote a research paper on the history of Ukrainian-Russian relations, enthusiastically said, “Talking to him afterward made me realize that he knew far more about Ukraine and Russia than his talk suggested.” 

This “mini” Circle Talk was presented by Groton’s Young Republicans and Young Democrats.