Barret saw Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Washington as the first sign of America’s shifting priorities.
“They had no particular problem using NATO to establish their dominion in Europe, making the majority of European countries their loyal allies, but this just didn’t work with Russia.”
“Because the Americans still see themselves as the world’s number one superpower they are prepared to do whatever it takes – including support for continued war in Ukraine – to prevent Russia becoming a superpower again,” Philippe Barret wrote, adding that Washington has apparently resigned itself to China’s growing political influence in Asia.
“When dealing with Russia [the Americans] bring up the ideals of democracy and human rights… With China they acknowledge the existence of historical and cultural differences… In their war against radical Islam, they underscore their differences with Russia, but avoid discussing them with the Chinese, who share the Russians’ very same view on the matter. How come?” the author wondered.
“Well, maybe because at some point they apparently realized that Henry Kissinger was right when he said that instead of getting mired in endless conflicts, America would be better off sharing some of its sway in Asia with the Chinese,” Philipp Barret concluded.
