The War In Ukraine: A Contest For Global Order Amid Strengthening Chinese-Russian Alliance
As the war in Ukraine rages on, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this conflict isn’t just about territory – it’s about the future of the global order and the political and economic rules that will govern the coming decades.
The recent state visit by Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping to Moscow highlights the growing significance of this war on the world stage.
Ever since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the global order established after World War II has been under pressure.
The 1990s exposed the West’s inability to effectively deal with emerging conflicts, and events like the war in the former Yugoslavia, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the Arab Spring revolts revealed the inadequacy of post-Cold War structures and institutions.
Now, Russia’s attack on Ukraine is tearing apart this old order, and leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin are intent on influencing, if not leading the new order.
The war in Ukraine represents a competition between the West and China over values, systems, and rules – a competition that will shape the world for years to come.
The stakes are high, and the West’s model – built on human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and international rules on trade – is being challenged.
Despite accusations that these values are being imposed on other countries, they are, in fact, universal, as evidenced by the numerous protests for freedom, democracy, justice, and human rights worldwide.
If Ukraine loses this war, the West will lose too. A defeat would embolden authoritarian regimes, like Beijing, to reshape the post-Cold War international order and potentially diminish the United States predominant position.
To prevent this sobering scenario, Western leaders must be candid about what’s at stake and demonstrate why the West has more to offer than Moscow or Beijing.
Winning this war isn’t just about military victory – it’s about defending a way of life, a system of government, and a set of international trading and business rules.
The war in Ukraine is testing the West’s endurance, and it’s time for skilled diplomacy, confidence, and hard power to rise to the challenge.
Do you think this Chinese-Russian Alliance is the biggest threat to The West?