Online Meeting Odd Arne Westad
Elihu Professor of History at Yale University
April 21, 2026

Odd Arne Westad, Elihu Professor of History at Yale University, addressed GRF and GRF Community members at an online meeting titled “Storms on the Horizon: Great Power Rivalry, the Cold War Legacy, and What History Warns Us Today” held on April 26, 2026.

The meeting addressed the resurgence of great power competition from a historical perspective. It examined the extent to which current developments resemble past patterns or signal a new era, while also discussing how U.S.–China competition is perceived in the Global South and the relevance of the Cold War experience in understanding these dynamics. The role of middle powers and regional actors in navigating such periods was also considered, with Prof. Westad sharing insights based on the historical warnings highlighted in his recent book, The Coming Storm.