Merz highlights Russian hybrid attacks, which he says are aimed at creating division in Europe, and the major disruptions to global energy supplies caused by the war in the Middle East as signs of the times.
Added to this is fierce competition between the US and China for dominance in the economy, defense and technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI).
A new wave of protectionism is putting a damper on global free trade, says Merz.
He adds that some states deliberately use interdependence between countries as a weapon to enrich themselves.