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20.01.2025

The New Great Game in 2025: Americans play monopoly, Russians play chess

Explore the evolving geopolitics of 2025 where the U.S. uses power tactics in a game of Monopoly, while Russia plays with elegance in a cerebral chess match. Discover the different strategic approaches and what they mean for global influence.

By Raja Izz, MBA

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Photo: Getty Images.


Disclaimer: This article does not support or endorse Russia or the United States in any political or ideological context. The purpose of this piece is to explore the grand national objectives and philosophies of both nations through a metaphorical lens, comparing their respective approaches to global influence and strategy. The focus is on how each country applies its own unique principles—power and elegance—in the ongoing dynamics of international relations.

  

2025 promises to be another fascinating chapter in the game of global influence. Today, it’s a blend of power, finesse, and intellectual play. If the Cold War during President Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev had its poker games and nuclear standoffs, the new Great Game in 2025 feels like a sophisticated blend of board games: Monopoly meets chess. And when you break it down, the United States and Russia seem to be playing very different versions of these games.

The American Approach: Power (Monopoly)

Elon Musk and Donald Trump.

Photo: Getty Images

 

Let’s begin with the Americans, who’ve always known how to play Monopoly—at least, when it comes to global politics. The game, with its buying, selling, and bankrupting adversaries, is a perfect metaphor for how the U.S. flexes its power across the world. It's all about "full spectrum dominance" - control of assets, influence over global markets, and the subtle ways in which economic leverage becomes the ultimate weapon.

But here’s the twist: Monopoly is often played with force. Sure, there are the occasional alliances, the well-timed “get out of jail free” cards, but in the end, it’s about who controls Boardwalk and Park Place—high-value properties that shape the game's outcome. For the U.S., this means not just military superiority but control over financial systems, institutions like the IMF, and yes, even international sanctions.

Think about how the U.S. has used its influence over institutions like the World Bank, The United Nations, NATO or even tech platforms like Facebook and Google. It’s not so much about engaging with elegance; it’s about exerting dominance over the rules, making sure that the U.S. remains powerful in this global game. Their moves are tactical and often come with a side of loud swagger. After all, if you’re going to dominate, you might as well make a spectacle of it.

In the U.S.’s current geopolitical game, it’s not just the gameboard that matters—it’s also the speed with which you can move your pieces. From arms deals to trade negotiations to the relentless march of technology, America’s approach is often fast-paced, aggressive, and occasionally chaotic. You win by outpacing your opponents and squeezing every ounce of value out of the system, even if it means bankrupting someone along the way. That’s the nature of the game.

The Russian Approach: Elegance (Chess)

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Photo: Getty Images

 

On the other side of the board, we have the Russians, who are still playing chess. This isn’t your average, fast-paced Monopoly game. No, this is the intellectual, long-term game of strategy, timing, and finesse—a game where elegance is the weapon and a well-executed move can tip the balance in your favor years down the line.

Russia has long been associated with chess, both literally and metaphorically. The Kremlin understands that, in the modern world, brute force isn't always the answer. Sometimes, it’s all about playing a game of calculation, where every piece has a purpose, and every movement is designed to get you closer to checkmate. It’s not about rushing to the finish line but about positioning your pieces in ways that give you the best long-term advantage.

Take a look at Russia’s use of diplomacy in recent years—particularly with Iran, China and its presence in the Middle East. Russia’s influence often comes through the quiet, sophisticated positioning of assets, both political and military. Russian leaders know that a well-timed alliance, a strategic economic partnership, or even a subtle diplomatic maneuver can shift the balance of power in their favor.

And elegance? Oh, it’s there too. Have you seen Vladimir Putin in action? From his macho public appearances to the highly choreographed, sometimes even theatrical, diplomacy, Russia’s global game is as much about style as it is about substance. The Russians understand that elegance can be a quiet force—one that doesn’t need to shout, but rather speaks volumes in the subtlest of gestures.

Much like the game of chess, Russia’s approach is deeply cerebral. It’s not about owning the biggest property or controlling the most land—it’s about calculating moves ahead, ensuring that every pawn has its purpose and that every queen and rook is in place for when the time comes.

The Modern Great Game: An Elegant Dance of Power and Finesse

Mark Harris illustration for Foreign Policy/Getty Images


The new Great Game in 2025, then, is not one of loud displays or unthinking aggression. Instead, it’s a dance between power and sophistication, where the U.S. plays Monopoly with an iron fist, and Russia plays chess with careful, deliberate strategy. It’s the ultimate meeting of brawn and brains, speed and precision, and, if we’re being honest, it makes for a thrilling spectacle.

And in this new age, it’s not just the politicians who are playing the game—it’s the intellectuals, the innovators, and even the corporate giants who now influence the battlefield. Consider how President Donald Trump has tapped into the brain of Elon Musk, now head of the the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), playing the role of the ultimate tech influencer in a new kind of financial and political game. Meanwhile, President Putin’s Russia has guided the BRICS network into a new era of economic and diplomatic power. These figures know that the game is no longer limited to just nation-states; it’s a complex web of strategic relationships, economic networks, and technological dominance.

An Invitation to Reflect

It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the intersection of power and elegance in our own lives. Much like the global leaders at the helm, a modern man knows that the true essence of sophistication lies in balance. As we’ve discussed here at GC, the pursuit of excellence is about blending strength with grace, power with elegance, to make an indelible mark on the world.

Take a moment to reflect on your own journey. Where might you benefit from a more forceful approach, and where could a touch of elegance elevate your game? In your professional life, personal relationships, and daily interactions, how do you balance these essential qualities? The mark of a true gentleman lies not just in understanding this dynamic, but in mastering it with grace and purpose.

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