As old alliances crack, Russia is scrambling to shape a new global order. Russia’s new “empire” narrative isn’t just about the Kremlin’s ambitions—it’s a window into the anxieties and fractures shaping the next global order. Iran, a key supplier of drones for Russia’s war in Ukraine, was unimpressed by Moscow’s lack of support during the crisis. As we peered into the abyss of World War III, Russian state media pivoted: suddenly, ‘empire’—long a slur—was rebranded as a stabilizing force in a chaotic world. Understanding this evolving empire game is essential to grasping the future of international relations and the fragile balance that holds the world together.