In an era where influence travels faster than truth, few voices manage to navigate global politics with both precision and humanity.
Spanish journalist and international analyst Xavier Perdomo has become one of them.
Known for his lucid explanations of shifting world orders, Perdomo has reported from conflict zones, lectured on diplomacy, and written two acclaimed books — “Games of Power: The U.S., China and Russia” and “Between Sand and Power: A Living History of a Land in Flames.”
His recent TED Talk, “Rethinking Power in an Age of Uncertainty,” went viral for its bold statement:
“Power no longer conquers — it connects.”
We sat down with Perdomo to discuss the silent reordering of global influence, the role of narratives in modern diplomacy, and why empathy might just be the missing element in international politics.
Q: You often say that we are living through a “silent reordering” of global power. What do you mean by that?
Xavier Perdomo: Power used to be visible — borders, armies, flags. Today it’s much more elusive. Influence is exercised through algorithms, energy routes, and narratives that shape how we see the world. The global order is being rewritten not through wars of conquest, but through wars of perception. The shift is silent because it doesn’t happen overnight — it unfolds in diplomacy, trade, technology, and the daily choices of billions of people.
Q: Your latest book, Games of Power, dissects the relationship between the U.S., China, and Russia. What is the central idea behind it?
Perdomo: That we’re witnessing the end of the “unipolar illusion.” For thirty years, Washington believed that liberal democracy and market capitalism had triumphed definitively. Meanwhile, Beijing built influence through trade, and Moscow redefined itself through energy and identity. The real struggle isn’t ideological anymore — it’s about who sets the global rules.
In the book, I argue that the 21st century won’t be shaped by one hegemon but by constant negotiation. Power is no longer imposed; it’s negotiated and distributed among states, corporations, and even individuals.
Q: You’ve written about the importance of “narrative hegemony.” Could you explain that concept?
Perdomo: Whoever controls the story controls the system. In the 20th century, propaganda meant broadcasting a message. In the 21st, it means designing an ecosystem of belief. Social media, entertainment, and even education play roles in building national narratives. That’s why I call the digital sphere the new battlefield of legitimacy.
When China speaks of “harmony,” the U.S. speaks of “freedom,” and Russia of “sovereignty,” they’re not just using different words — they’re defining different futures.
Q: You also spent time reporting from conflict zones, which inspired your earlier book Between Sand and Power. How did that experience shape your worldview?
Perdomo: It made me humble. When you sit with a family in Aleppo or a teacher in Gaza, geopolitics becomes something visceral. You understand that power is not just military or political — it’s the ability to keep living, to keep teaching, to keep believing when everything falls apart. That’s another form of resistance.
The book is not just about war; it’s about human persistence. It tries to remind readers that every geopolitical decision has a human consequence.
Q: How do you see Europe’s role in this new landscape?
Perdomo: Europe is at a crossroads. It has values, experience, and institutions, but it struggles with strategic clarity. The continent oscillates between dependence and autonomy — between its alliance with the U.S. and the temptation to define an independent foreign policy.
Spain, in particular, could become a bridge between Europe, Latin America, and the Mediterranean, but only if it stops seeing itself as a “small actor.” History gives it cultural legitimacy; now it needs geopolitical ambition.
Q: And what about Latin America?
Perdomo: Latin America is perhaps the greatest paradox of global politics. It has everything: resources, democracy, and creativity — yet it remains on the sidelines of global decision-making. The region’s challenge is unity. Without a shared strategy, every country negotiates alone with the giants, and that weakens them all.
If Latin America managed to speak with one voice on energy, digital policy, or trade, it could redefine its place in the global chessboard. It doesn’t need to choose between Washington or Beijing — it needs to choose itself.
Q: You often stress the human side of power. How do you balance analysis with empathy in your work?
Perdomo: Facts and empathy are not opposites; they are complementary. Numbers explain what’s happening, but empathy explains why it matters.
When you report from conflict areas or analyze international tensions, you can’t lose sight of the people who live the consequences of those decisions. My work tries to bridge those two worlds — the strategic and the human.
Q: Your TED Talk, Rethinking Power in an Age of Uncertainty, went viral earlier this year. Why do you think it resonated so strongly?
Perdomo: Because it speaks to a universal anxiety. We all feel that the old structures are collapsing — geopolitically, economically, even emotionally. People are looking for frameworks to understand chaos. The talk’s message is simple: the real power of the 21st century isn’t domination — it’s connection.
Q: Finally, what gives you hope in such turbulent times?
Perdomo: The fact that people are asking questions again. The belief that dialogue still matters. That despite cynicism and polarization, there’s a generation that wants to understand before taking sides. That’s where real change begins — in curiosity.
About the Author
Xavier Perdomo is a Spanish journalist and international analyst. His work focuses on global power dynamics, diplomacy, and the intersection between politics and human resilience. He is the author of Games of Power: The U.S., China and Russia and Between Sand and Power: A Living History of a Land in Flames, and has contributed to European and Latin American outlets, including Opinión Ibérica and Medium.
