Washington is upset that China will not condemn Russia. This is despite Beijing’s statement that it is ready to play “a constructive role” and mediate in the war in Ukraine. At the same time, it complains China and Russia won’t support a text at the United Nations that alleges North Korean “violations” of missile technology resolutions despite pressure from the United States and its European allies. “We would love to have China and Russia join us in this room” to adopt the text, the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said in a press interview. Short of putting boots on the ground, the West has practically declared full-spectrum warfare against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Fair enough, I think Vladimir Putin asked for it. But you could hardly expect Moscow to go along with the UN after a General Assembly vote last week denounced it. I have heard of realism in politics, but this is plain unrealism from Washington. As for China declining to “condemn” Russia, is it so different from Washington’s Asian partner India? In a joint statement last week, the Quad grouping of countries – the US, India, Australia and Japan – declared that what was happening in Ukraine must not be allowed to happen in the Indo-Pacific. That, of course, refers to China’s alleged intention to invade Taiwan. The statement, however, is considerably weakened, if not nullified, by India as it has refused to “condemn” Russia. Like China, India abstained from the UN vote last week. Perhaps US Secretary of State Antony Blinken should have spent more time convincing his Indian friends to cast the “right” vote before criticising Beijing. The Biden White House last month published its official “Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States” . In 19 pages, it effectively names China as the US’ primary enemy and calls on Asian allies to help contain the country and roll back its influence. Why should Beijing cooperate over Russia – or any other issues – now that Americans have openly declared its intention to back China into a corner? “Our objective is not to change the PRC but to shape the strategic environment in which it operates, building a balance of influence in the world that is maximally favourable to the United States, our allies and partners, and the interests and values we share,” the report says. Love that word, “maximally”! It continues: “We will focus on every corner of the region, from Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, to South Asia and Oceania, including the Pacific Islands.” This is the language of empire. It is stated as a zero-sum game in the Indo-Pacific, where the gain of one side is loss for the other. It identifies Taiwan among America’s “key strategic regional partners”. That’s a clear repudiation of Washington’s one-China policy in all but name. No serious attempt is made at compromise, coexistence and cooperation with China. Instead, it makes clear the only outcome acceptable to Washington is for China to become compliant or subordinate to US interests in the region, however defined. A simple message: what’s good for the US is good for Asia. Ukraine invasion: Britain targets Russian oligarchs with legislation No doubt the harsh and arrogant tone in the document is designed to appeal to politicians in the US Congress. It’s unlikely, though, to find much of a receptive audience in Asia or among Asean member states. Asean and South Korea have been deeply sceptical of the Quad. And Indonesia and Malaysia, both leading members of Asean, have openly criticised the English-speaking Aukus defence pact of Australia, the UK and US. Despite playing lip service to Asean being “central to the regional architecture”, it has nothing to say about how its structure and influence are to be integrated or utilised in this new US strategy. As if to emphasise its focus on strategic-military goals in Asia, the White House document says nothing about the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) or the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), two key trade and investment initiatives in the region. Washington is not just warning China to play ball or else; it’s telling its regional allies it’s “my way or the highway”. But this is 2022, not 1991. Isn’t all that hegemonic arrogance a bit unrealistic?