From time immemorial, there has been no occasion when there was universal peace in the world, without one region fighting against another or clashes between groups of people.
While there has been phenomenal development in science and technology, material affluence, and betterment of physical comforts for people over the years, the mental state of humanity has not undergone any significant improvement. Historically, and as described in several epics, human relations have been marked by jealousy, greed, hatred, and a tendency toward violence. The situation is no different today. Despite numerous saints and scholars advocating noble thoughts, love, compassion, and peace to usher in happiness around the world, the ground reality is that these voices of wisdom have made little impact and seem to have faded away.
With the USA, under an aggressive Donald Trump, taking a hard stance as President and China pursuing territorial greed and expansionist ambitions, competing with the USA to emerge as the dominant superpower, global peace is likely to be jeopardised.
China’s Superpower Ambitions
China has not concealed its territorial ambitions or its drive to dominate the world by any means—fair or foul—clearly aiming to surpass the USA as the foremost global superpower.
As part of its strategy, China follows a sort of stick-and-carrot policy. It annexed the peaceful nation of Tibet through aggression several decades ago and now rules Tibet with an iron grip. It occupies thousands of square kilometres of Indian territory and claims ownership of the South China Sea and the Senkaku Islands, creating conflicts with the Philippines, Japan, and other nations. China also constantly threatens to invade Taiwan, with US support for Taiwan being the only deterrent against such an invasion.
Recently, China announced its intention to construct a new dam over the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, sparking significant concern in India about the dam’s nature and impact. India fears that if constructed, the dam would render the Brahmaputra ecosystem fragile, reducing it by as much as 60%. However, China appears indifferent to India’s concerns.
Beyond such militaristic postures, China is also extending its influence over weaker nations through its economic corridor projects. By providing financial assistance and execution support, China is pushing these nations into severe debt crises, thereby gaining a stranglehold over them.
Through these calculated moves, China demonstrates its clear intention to dominate the world and establish itself as the most powerful superpower.
USA’s Strategies to Maintain Its Superpower Status
For decades, the USA has viewed itself as the world’s policeman, intervening in the affairs of nations both occasionally and frequently. It maintains military bases in multiple regions worldwide, and critics have often alleged that the US “deep state” has been responsible for unseating governments in several countries. The USA routinely deploys its troops to fight perceived threats to its dominance.
Until recently, it was thought that the USA’s ambition was limited to maintaining its superpower status without pursuing territorial gains. However, with President-elect Trump stating that Panama should be taken over by the USA, even by aggression if necessary, and suggesting that Canada should become part of the USA, it seems America now harbours territorial ambitions similar to China’s.
Trump has also declared multiple times that he intends to impose tariffs on Chinese imports, aiming to weaken China’s economy. How China will respond remains to be seen, but a tariff war between the USA and China is likely to dominate global headlines in the months ahead.
Superpower Rivalry at the Cost of World Peace
Whether acknowledged by the USA or not, most nations today view China as a superpower.
Over the past few decades, China has made spectacular strides in industrial and economic growth, technological development, and military strength. Its growing influence on the world stage can no longer be ignored, and its role in global events will likely become increasingly decisive in the near future.
With Russia and Western Europe falling behind China and the USA on several fronts in recent years, the superpower conflict between these two nations is poised to disrupt peace in various regions.
While direct military conflict between the USA and China is unlikely due to the mutual destruction it would entail, economic and subtler forms of warfare will probably escalate. Meanwhile, other nations and the United Nations will watch these developments with growing concern and helplessness.
It is noteworthy that while the USA is a democratic country and China is governed by a totalitarian regime, the type of governance has not led to significant differences in their approaches to other nations. Both prioritise their self-interest above all else.
In conclusion, the prospect of global peace remains as uncertain as ever—just as it has been throughout history.
