In a few decades, today's political developments will probably be remembered as a new turn in the new century.

Clearly the disappearance of the socialist bloc did not give way to full-fledged international cooperation.

Liberalism has not succeeded in establishing an "acceptable" level of social and distributive justice, even in developed democratic countries. Most of the time realpolitik takes over and it is business as usual. Or is it?

A divide between the European Union's soft power and Shanghai Cooperation Association's malign influence is becoming more visible, even tangible. Neither Russia nor China can envisage a total split from the rich liberal countries, nor do they have the potential to pose a real threat to democratic countries. The whole struggle will again be waged at the "Marches" of both sides. This is not Africa, nor is it the Far East anymore, but the former Soviet Union influences zones in Europe, the Caucasus and the Middle East. Eastern and Central European countries have all become members of the EU: There is virtually nothing that the Putin administration can do to substantially destabilize them.

The territories gained by the Soviets after the Second World War, namely Moldova and western parts of Ukraine, are slowly but surely trying to move away from Russia's zone of influence and integration. Russia will certainly try to prevent this, but not at all costs. Much like Stalin, Putin is eager to use the force whenever he feels sure that there will be no retaliation. His aim is not to expand his zone of influence but to keep intact his backyard as much as possible.

On the other hand, China does not look at all like Russia. The Communist Party exchanged its antediluvian ideological stance on economic development almost forty years ago. Also long gone is the cult of personality after the death of Mao Zedong.

Even Deng Xiao Ping, once the all-powerful paramount leader of the Chinese Communist Party has never accepted honorific posts, titles and nominations. Chinese ruling elites have established a mostly meritbased rotational leadership, on which Western observers possess very few hints and information. On top of this, China's economy is booming, its huge population does not show signs of decrease and it has a nicely performing production infrastructure.

The balance of the late 1950s between Russia and China has definitely tilted and reversed. Long gone are the days of a booming Soviet economy exporting technology and know-how to its brother country China. China produces almost half of the world's durable goods and has started creating most of its own technology. The Chinese are able to manage space and aeronautical technology, totally integrated into the world's financial system, possess the biggest reserves in U.S. dollars, but they mainly need a sustainable system to take them to the level of an acceptably developed economy. Their Achilles heel remains energy resources. They can and do try to use their immense coal reserves, but in major Chinese cities the air has already become barely breathable. Clean energy is a must, which, in the short run, can only take the form of increasing use of natural gas.

Russia would be only too glad to sell natural gas to China instead of Europe, but this would require immense investments in infrastructure and, more importantly, an acceptable level of reciprocal trust. On the other hand, European countries are desperate to diversify their energy sources.

Chancellor Merkel has even asked the U.S. whether it would be interested in exporting some of its shale gas to the EU. Perhaps a more feasible and interesting solution would be to keep an eye on the natural gas reserves of Israel, Northern Iraq and Cyprus.

That again puts Turkey in the front row in international relations.

Well, it is time to pull together and close the ranks. Despite all the arguing about the democratic deficit in Turkey, we will probably see a solution forged in Cyprus, reconciliation between Turkey and Israel, and last but not least, a tightening of relations between the EU and Turkey. Surprises are in store.