What country does he consider the greatest challenge to America in the coming decades? “In terms of traditional great-state relations, I do believe that the relationship between the United States and China is going to be the most critical,” he said. “If we get that right and China continues on a peaceful rise, then we have a partner that is growing in capability and sharing with us the burdens and responsibilities of maintaining an international order.
Disagree. China is less a partner of the Americans under Obama and more a partner of the Russians. I cannot tell you how much that sucks.
If China fails; if it is not able to maintain a trajectory that satisfies its population and has to resort to nationalism as an organizing principle; if it feels so overwhelmed that it never takes on the responsibilities of a country its size in maintaining the international order; if it views the world only in terms of regional spheres of influence—then not only do we see the potential for conflict with China, but we will find ourselves having more difficulty dealing with these other challenges that are going to come.”
That is how Russia sees it too, in terms of regional spheres of influence.
...
“I’ve been very explicit in saying that we have more to fear from a weakened, threatened China than a successful, rising China,”
...
“I’ve been very explicit in saying that we have more to fear from a weakened, threatened China than a successful, rising China,”
Then why are you "pivoting" our military there?
Obama said. “I think we have to be firm where China’s actions are undermining international interests,
Is this now new? "International interests?" You have your "core interests," your "national interests" your "national security."
and if you look at how we’ve operated in the South China Sea, we have been able to mobilize most of Asia to isolate China in ways that have surprised China, frankly,...
An INHERENT contradiction: (1) More to fear from a "weakened, threatened China." (Dos) "We have been able to mobilize most of Asia to isolate China."
Mr. President, I know something about this. The soul of China is survival. A major part of survival is fear, in China's case the fear of being surrounded and isolated.
...and have very much served our interest in strengthening our alliances.”
"Interest," unmodified.
