My Take | Cold war in the East will be determined by hot war in the West
- So long as Moscow, Kyiv and Washington are willing and able to continue the bloodbath, it’s the Chinese who will reap the benefits without a bullet fired
“This is manna from heaven for the Chinese … [for whom] the best outcome would be if the war goes on, and Russia does not lose, and the Americans remain deeply committed and frustrated in Europe so that they can’t concentrate on China …”
US political scientist John Mearsheimer, in an interview with My Take, July 10, 2023
While there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics, mortal enemies Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin have become China’s best friends; and the longer the Ukraine war drags on, the more so they become. Likewise is the American military industrial complex, at least for now – out of good old capitalist greed.
War always drives the basest instincts while those who profit most from it extol the noblest purpose. Instead of sanctioning some of the biggest arms makers from the United States, maybe Beijing should give them state honours.
Zelensky said so himself: “In this hall, there is confidence. Confidence of the free world … Because we will build the necessary arsenal. And I am pleased to welcome all of you to the forum.
“All of you who are ready to build the arsenal of the free world together with Ukraine and in Ukraine. A modern and powerful arsenal that will leave no chance for any aggressor.”