Is Davos 2026 the last stand for the old world order? The stakes have never been higher. This year’s World Economic Forum (WEF), nestled in the snow-capped Swiss Alps, carries an air of urgency. With the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” the gathering of global elites aims to foster cooperation, but the backdrop is anything but harmonious. And this is the part most people miss: as star guest Donald Trump arrives with the largest-ever U.S. delegation, his actions over the past year have seemingly accelerated the unraveling of the very order the WEF seeks to preserve.
Trump’s presence in Davos is a spectacle in itself. Accompanied by high-profile officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, he embodies a force that has disrupted global norms. Just last year, days after his second inauguration, Trump delivered a fiery speech via video link, threatening tariffs, demanding NATO defense hikes, and pressuring the Federal Reserve—a preview of the chaos that followed. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Trump’s rhetoric has polarized the world, his actions—from seizing Venezuela’s president to threatening Iran—have pushed the post-war international order to the brink.
The timing of this year’s WEF couldn’t be more critical. War rages in Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending to rally support. Yet, just days before Davos, Trump suggested Ukraine was more reluctant to pursue peace than Russia—a statement that sparked outrage and highlighted the deepening divides. Meanwhile, the WEF’s own survey of 1,300 global leaders revealed their top fears: “geoeconomic confrontation” and outright war between nations. Is this the new normal, or can Davos still steer the ship?
Despite the gloom, there’s a fightback brewing. Central bankers, typically reserved, recently took an unprecedented stand by defending the independence of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell against Trump’s attacks. And while Trump arrives with a formidable entourage, other leaders—like NATO chief Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—are rallying for free trade, transatlantic unity, and Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
But here’s the kicker: as the U.S. flexes its military might, senior diplomats whisper that this could fuel global resistance. China and other developing nations are steadily growing their share of the global economy, slowly tipping the balance away from American dominance. Meanwhile, Trump’s attempts to impose a pro-Russian peace in Ukraine have been met with fierce European resistance, and his threats against Iran were tempered by lobbying from Gulf nations wary of regional war.
Multilateral efforts persist, though they often fly under the radar. This year, the UN will launch an independent scientific panel on AI, aiming to counter the commercially driven models dominated by U.S. tech giants. Yet, the WEF’s own climate footprint is under scrutiny, with private jet flights to Davos tripling between 2023 and 2025—a stark contrast to its lofty goals.
And this is the part most people miss: the WEF’s founder, Klaus Schwab, is notably absent this year. After stepping down amid allegations of unauthorized spending, Schwab’s legacy hangs in the balance. While cleared of “material wrongdoing,” the 87-year-old’s absence marks the end of an era. His new book, Restoring Truth and Trust, feels like a final plea for relevance in a world he once sought to shape.
Critics argue the WEF has lost its way. Danny Sriskandarajah, a former Young Global Leader, calls it “a relic of the past,” lacking accountability and legitimacy in a world devoid of a rules-based order. Yet, others, like Jamie Drummond, co-founder of the One charity, see value in its influence, even if its heyday is behind it. So, is Davos still a force for good, or just a glittering gathering of the elite?
As the world watches, one question lingers: Can Davos 2026 salvage the old order, or is it merely a last-chance saloon for a bygone era? What do you think? Is the WEF still relevant, or has it lost its purpose? Let’s debate in the comments.
