According to author Naomi Klein, the opening scene of her upcoming book End Times Fascism, co-written with Astra Taylor, takes place at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff envision a gated, weaponless luxury enclave for the wealthy called New Gaza. As reported by Klein, the world’s richest men gathered at the annual summit to discuss the real estate possibilities of a mass grave, signaling a profound shift toward unapologetic authoritarian capitalism and privatized disaster recovery.
The Davos Vision for New Gaza and the Privatized United Nations
The annual gathering in Davos has historically served a dual purpose: offering a platform for global elites to highlight philanthropic efforts regarding poverty and climate change while showcasing their immense wealth. However, according to Klein, the recent summit featured billionaires openly discussing real estate development opportunities atop mass casualties. During the same event, Donald Trump announced a Board of Peace tasked with overseeing the reconstruction of Gaza.
Klein notes that the creation of this board amounts to the announcement of a “privatized United Nations.” According to the author, the rapid succession of extraordinary global events makes it difficult for the public to fully grasp the scale of these developments as financial, technological, and military weaponry concentrates further within a tiny, unaccountable group of elites.
From Corporate Seduction to Performed Nihilism
During the post-Cold War neoliberal era—which Klein characterizes as a period when capitalism operated without competitive pressure and staged public seduction rituals at Davos, Aspen, and the Clinton Global Initiative—billionaires actively cultivated public trust by funding schools, medical research, and clean water initiatives. Figures like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk previously projected humanitarian images, with Bezos backing climate pledges and Musk intervening to rescue children trapped in caves or assist regions hit by natural disasters.
That dynamic has shifted dramatically. According to Klein, tech leaders have abandoned climate pledges in favor of performed nihilism and a relentless push to construct massive data centres. Peter Thiel hosted panel discussions ahead of the presidential election explicitly labeling sustainable development goals and social responsibility as “the enemy,” followed by an apocalypse-themed costume party featuring controversial satirical outfits. Klein observes that elite wealth inevitably fosters supremacy, as billionaires require a self-justifying narrative to explain why they possess staggering resources while others face acute want.
Resisting the Spiral of Authoritarian Enclaves
The patterns described in End Times Fascism reflect familiar tactics of disaster capitalism that Klein previously documented in Iraq following Hurricane Katrina, where private contractors established fortified zones like the Green Zone in Baghdad. However, Klein cautions against viewing current events merely as a repeat of history, utilizing the image of a downward spiral to describe an era that is both familiar and moving with greater velocity, heat, and violence.
Did You Know?
Naomi Klein’s breakthrough 1999 book, No Logo, was published when she was 29 years old, establishing her prominent voice against the harms of corporate globalization and neoliberalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is End Times Fascism published?
What is the central premise of End Times Fascism?
According to the authors, the book examines how modern authoritarian movements and tech billionaires are actively modeling and welcoming interconnected apoclypses to build a post-democratic world where only a wealthy few survive.
Who co-wrote the book with Naomi Klein?
The book was co-written with Astra Taylor, a writer, activist, documentary maker, and founder of the Debt Collective.
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