American World Order in Trouble - 10 Recent News
Events around the globe portend the dramatic weakening of American hegemony
Nov 20
US-led World Order in Trouble
Geopolitics is undergoing tectonic changes, which augur an emerging new world order that will be extremely disruptive to the American unipolar hegemony of the last thirty years. What is unique about this quiet and organic revolution is that it is simultaneously erupting all over the world. And this phenomenon is based on multipolarity and multilateralism, where countries engage and cooperate with each other as equals.
Of course, Americans will be the last people to acknowledge the arrival of a multipolar world. They will be kicking and screaming, “But I live in the greatest country! I want my American Century back! I don’t want to treat those black, brown and commie countries as my equal.”
However, the inexorable cycle of history moves forward. Here are top 10 recent news that together portend a terrible future for American primacy.
German Leader Visits Beijing
Ignoring all the American warnings and threats, German leader Scholz visited China, Germany’s largest goods trading partner. Writing in an op-ed that decoupling from China is not prudent or possible, Scholz took with him leaders of BMW, BASF, Siemens and dozen other largest German corporations.
According to Erdogan, the German Chancellor is also thinking about negotiating with Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
If Germany flips, so will most of Europe, and America’s entire Eurasian strategy of divide-and-rule will be dead.
Saudi Arabia’s Pivot
Saudi Arabia rejects Biden’s demand to increase oil production. Furthermore, Saudis work with Russia (OPEC+) to cut production.
Then, to really rub it in, Saudi Prince MBS invites Xi Jinping for a visit. This won’t be just a fist-jump greeting. Instead, this will involve long-term realignment of Saudi foreign policy and economic interests. Saudis will not only join BRICS but may also entertain the idea of oil-for-Yuan. There are many more areas ripe for strategic partnership – infrastructure, nuclear energy, military etc.
Qatar, the world’s third largest exporter of natural gas -- and not a great ally of the Saudis -- rejects price cap on Russian energy. Qatar also revealed one of the world’s largest solar farms – with 1.8 million solar panels – which was built by a Chinese firm.
It’s like an Arab Spring in the reverse direction!
Rise of Anti-imperialism in Latin America
Anti-imperialists have been winning all across Latin America, including even Colombia. In the latest, Lula wins in Brazil, talks up a new currency to a replace US dollar. He also assigns blame on NATO for the war in Ukraine.
BRICS and SCO Expansion
Iran, Algeria, Turkey, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and others have applied for or shown interest in BRICS membership.
This truly represents multilateralism, with countries from all parts of the world coming together as equals and working towards common prosperity. If they manage to create their own basket of currency that is backed by commodities, it will spell the end of America’s dollar tyranny.
China-led SCO also adds Iran, a geopolitically pivotal player in the Middle East.
As Brzezinski warned twenty-five years ago, the triumvirate of Iran, Russia and China will have the potential to displace American hegemony in Eurasia.
Iran Increases its Strategic Role
Iran’s relatively inexpensive but highly precise drones have been destroying overpriced American and European hi-tech weapons deployed in Ukraine.
Iran’s oil minister visits Russia to discuss far-reaching projects like the North-South freight corridor that links Russia and India through Iran. Other key projects include sea ports in Mediterranean and Caspian seas; LNG terminals; exports of Russian gas; and a pipeline to Pakistan.
Singapore and Vietnam: Solidarity with China
Singapore clearly stated that it is not going to choose between China and USA. Singapore also signs more than a dozen significant trade and technology deals with China.
Vietnam’s leader visits Beijing, hugs Xi Jinping – a rare spectacle, by the way - and deepens the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
India Emphasizes Multipolar World
India has not only refused to ostracize but Russia but has done the opposite. Indian foreign minister Jaishankar visits Moscow, schmoozes with Russian FM Lavrov, and repeats phrases like “multipolar world” and “re-balanced world” to the utter consternation of Washington elites.
Regarding the same visit, Russia releases press release that calls for a “polycentric world” that opposes “imperialist agendas.” Ouch.
India has also increased purchases of Russian energy products, and even pays for some of it using Yuan. In October, Russia was the #1 supplier of India’s crude oil.
India’s imports from China also increases rapidly.
India, a member of QUAD, is embracing an “all-alignment” policy, which doesn’t bode well for America’s divide-and-rule plans for Asia.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka Coup Aftermath
After US-led coup in Pakistan, the new Prime Minister visits Beijing, renews commitment to CPEC, and secures funding for a 1800km high-speed rail project to be built by China.
Similarly, Sri Lanka’s close relations with China don’t seem to have been affected much after the US-led color revolution. The island country still allows visit by Chinese ships and allegedly even helps refuel Chinese ships in international waters.
International Bankers are Still Pro-China
Swiss bank UBS’ chief says that bankers don’t read American media, and are very bullish on China. Haven’t they read the memo about decoupling and de-globalization? And that China is a threat to the West?
G20 and Asian Leaders Embrace China
If you believed the Western media, China is run by a ruthless dictator and China’s economy is on the verge of collapse. However, looking at how Western leaders were lining up for lucrative deals and a photo op with Xi Jinping, the mainstream narratives sound hollow.
Joe Biden had a three-hour meeting with Xi Jinping; Australian PM met with Xi and then said that he’s against Taiwan joining the CPTPP free trade treaty; Dutch PM’s meeting with Xi was followed by a Dutch minister saying that the Netherlands won’t follow US diktats on exports (referring to the US demand that Dutch ASML stop selling semiconductor chip-making machines to China); and Italy’s new leader announcing her upcoming trip to China. Heck, even Indian PM Modi shook hands and chatted with Xi Jinping — the first time the leaders have spoken since the deadly border skirmish in 2020.
Interestingly, none of these leaders bothered to repeat American propaganda about human rights, Uyghurs etc.
In short, China’s global status has been skyrocketing over the last month. So much for America’s containment strategy.
Conclusion
To paraphrase Lenin, decades are happening in months. The American Empire’s unseen and cynical rules-based order is unraveling at a rapid pace.
America’s biggest geopolitical gamble, the shock-and-awe campaign against Russia, has faltered spectacularly, despite the occasional wins for US-led Ukrainian forces in the battlefield. Europeans are waking up from their hypnotized state and are protesting against NATO and anti-Russia sanctions. Even US Generals are now openly talking about negotiating a peace settlement with Putin.
As for China, it is on solid footing, in spite of America’s countless WTO-violating sanctions and hybrid warfare. Casting aside the incessant and hysterical American propaganda, people in the Global South hold positive views about Russia & China. Even Latin America is trying to break free from the Monroe Doctrine; and the future of Petrodollar might be in trouble!
We are witnessing the birth of a multipolar world, and it’s going to be painful and beautiful.
--- S.L. Kanthan – writer and world traveler, based out of Bangalore, India.