2024-10-31 14:00:00
China with its economic power, Russia with its military power and theocratic Iran with its ability to survive despite (historically ineffective) international economic sanctions aim to create a cooperative and short-range imperialist scheme, which they believe can be in their surprise rival to America. imperialism. But is this possible?
China, Russia and Iran are three powerful empires that were on the wrong side of history at some point (why is another story) and still firmly believe so today – each for their own reasons and not in always wrong – that the capitalist West is responsible. for this. In the case of China, the roots of this belief go back hundreds of years, that is, from the time when the British first forced the Chinese to become addicted to opium.
In the case of Russia – eternally divided between West and East – the roots are of course in the Soviet revolution but also in Vladimir Putin’s (native of the KGB) revanchist belief that “the dissolution of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century”. Finally, in the case of Iran, the roots of the hatred against the US “Satan” can be found in the middle of the 20th century, when the CIA, in its known ways, prevented the nationalization of its oil fields .
Today, however, what unites the three countries and leads them to a wider cooperation such as BRICS is more than hatred. Their political consensus is to question the need for a world organization like the UN, which even theoretically aims to maintain international peace and universal human rights. Their will is to create their own spheres of influence – without, of course, facing the risk of retaliation – that is, to create a system in which Russia dominates Eurasia, China in South Asia and of Iran in the Middle East. As far as human rights are concerned, these three countries rightly claim – to a certain extent – that the Magna Carta, the Episcopate and the French Revolution do not concern them and that in the final analysis they do not wish to be “Democracies”, which they are known to be accompanied by social unrest, power struggles, political changes, freedoms of speech and invocation of rights. And they not only demand it, but regularly even prove it, usually with excessive brutality.
In other words, China with its economic power, Russia with its military power and theocratic Iran with its ability to survive despite international economic sanctions (historically ineffective) aim to create a scheme of cooperative and short-range imperialism, which they consider that he can. to be a formidable opponent of American imperialism.
But is this possible? Is the common hatred of the West (or the North, depending on where you look at it) enough to create a new order on the world’s political chessboard and upset the current geopolitical balances?
There are several opinions in the United States on this issue. At the end of the last century, for example, the senator at the time Joseph Biden, returning from a trip to Moscow, said that the Russians told him “if NATO expands, they will go to China” and that he responded – ironically -. “Good luck and if you don’t find it with Beijing go to Tehran”. At the same time, however, the American National Security Adviser at the time, Zbigniew Brzezinski, warned that “the worst case scenario for the US is an alliance of China, Russia and Iran”. Today this alliance has been implemented to some extent. China is buying oil from Russia and selling it for industrial goods like never before, and Beijing and Moscow are buying and selling conventional weapons systems to Tehran, which did not forget that Russia supported the Western plan against to enrich uranium in 2015. . Perhaps because of the topic of nuclear weapons, “John the Terio is afraid and John the Terio is afraid”.
However, the same thing seems to be happening with the “de-dollarization” of transactions between them, where Russia and Iran, despite their announcements from time to time, do not want the yuan of Chinese to replace the dollar. Which would undoubtedly happen if these three countries created a common and free market. It is also an indication of the fact that, although Russia has recently declared that it is ready to lend Iran the sums required for the rail link between the two countries with India, Tehran currently refuses, noting , among other things, that the loan contracts proposed by Moscow. which is in roubles. Equally important is the reluctance in the many other countries that participate – or declare that they want to participate – in the BRICS project. Most of them, even those subject to international economic sanctions in one way or another, do not want complete economic dependence on China, nor defensive dependence on Russia, and some of them – starting with former Republics Soviet Central Asia – they. asking Beijing to guarantee them that they will never share the fate of Ukraine in Europe.
A Europe that currently considers Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to do what dictators like Stalin and Mao did not, must now realize that it is one of emancipation and gradual defensive isolation from the US. – way street. And this is not only in view of the possible risk that Trump would return to the USA, but also because the Magna Carta, the Bishop and the French Revolution relate directly to Europe at least in the last analysis.
#China #Russia #Iran #world
Interview between Time.news Editor and Expert on Global Geopolitics
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we analyze pressing global issues. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Eliana Moro, a renowned expert in international relations and geopolitics.
Expert: Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to discussing these vital topics.
Editor: Let’s dive in. The recent article by Manolis Spinthourakis highlights the potential emergence of a cooperative scheme among China, Russia, and Iran aimed at countering American influence. What’s your initial impression of this idea?
Expert: It’s a fascinating proposition—indeed, we’re seeing formations like BRICS that signify a shift in the global balance of power. This collaboration is not just about opposing the West but establishing a new order that better serves their interests.
Editor: You mentioned the BRICS. Historically, these nations have different grievances against the West. How do these align in their current cooperation?
Expert: Exactly. Each country comes with its own historical context—China’s past with Western imperialism, Russia’s search for restoration of its influence post-Soviet Union, and Iran’s long-standing resistance against Western intervention. This shared history fosters a sense of solidarity, despite their varying systems of government and ideologies.
Editor: The article points out that these countries are questioning the necessity of global organizations like the UN. Do you think this is a viable direction for them?
Expert: It’s a double-edged sword. While they may wish to create their own spheres of influence, undermining established international structures like the UN could lead to greater global instability. The absence of a framework for dialogue would ultimately benefit no one, not even the powers involved.
Editor: What about the argument that their common hatred of the West alone could forge a new geopolitical order? Can animosity serve as a strong enough foundation for partnership?
Expert: Hatred can indeed be a motivator, but it’s rarely sufficient for long-term cooperation. In politics, shared interests—especially economic and security outcomes—are more likely to cement partnerships. Without sustainable common goals, their alliances may falter under internal pressures or ideological differences.
Editor: The article hints at some historical warnings, like those from Zbigniew Brzezinski regarding the implications of a China-Russia-Iran alliance. Should the current U.S. administration be concerned?
Expert: Absolutely. The historical context offers valuable lessons. The U.S. must recognize that a strong alliance between these nations could threaten its influence, particularly in strategic regions like Eurasia and the Middle East. The interconnectedness of these economies and military capabilities could indeed create a formidable bloc against American interests.
Editor: Lastly, how do you assess the effectiveness of the sanctions imposed on these nations, especially Iran? The article mentions that they’ve historically been ineffective.
Expert: Sanctions often push targeted countries into closer cooperation, as seen with Iran’s relationships with Russia and China. Instead of isolating these nations, sanctions can inadvertently foster a sense of unity against a common adversary. For them, surviving sanctions is a point of national pride and a narrative they can sell to their populations.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Moro. As we witness these developments, the implications for global stability will be crucial to watch.
Expert: It’s always a pleasure to discuss these topics with you. The world is in a state of flux, and understanding these alliances will be vital for navigating the future.
Editor: Thank you for joining us, and to our audience, stay tuned for more analyses on the evolving geopolitical landscape.