Martin Ivens, Columnist

How Does the Davos Elite Deal With War in Ukraine?

Global elites have yet to confront the harsh realities of power politics and nationalism.

May 21, 2022 at 5:00 AM UTC

Martin Ivens is the editor of the Times Literary Supplement. Previously, he was editor of the Sunday Times of London and its chief political commentator.

WEF President Borge Brende poses during the WEF Davos Agenda virtual sessions on Jan. 17. — WEF President Borge Brende poses during the WEF Davos Agenda virtual sessions on Jan. 17.
Photographer: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

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When the global elite meets at the Swiss resort of Davos this week, for a spring gathering of the World Economic Forum (WEF), war will have forced its way to the top of the agenda.

The pandemic has shrunk the annual jamboree of the great and the wealthy. Absent will be Russian oligarchs who hung around in “outer Davos” mostly uninvited and yet heavily present in private chalets and meetings. Now they’re under Western sanctions and under the radar.