My Take | The loss of global influence by the United States is China’s gain
The world doesn’t see an ‘indispensable nation’ in America, only one that is ‘dysfunctional at home and pursuing naked self-interest abroad’
Recommended readings: “America is losing Southeast Asia: Why US allies in the region are turning toward China.” That’s the title of an essay in the current edition of Foreign Affairs.
“When many Southeast Asians look at the United States now, they see a country that is dysfunctional at home and pushing a nakedly self-interested agenda abroad,” it said.
“Chinese investments are generally welcomed in Southeast Asia … The United States should avoid overstating its convergence with Asian partners. Stressing the convergence narrative suggests, at best, that Washington lacks an awareness of the United States’ declining position in Southeast Asia and, at worst, that Southeast Asia is being overlooked in US foreign policy.”
As has been widely reported, the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute this year found 50.5 per cent of respondents across Asean countries chose “strategic alignment” with China against 49.5 per cent for the US. In 2020, it was 50.2 per cent for the US and 49.8 per cent for China.
The month before, the same premier US foreign policy journal ran another essay with a similar title: “America is losing the Arab world and China is reaping the benefits.” It must be easy writing headlines for the publication.
“Few Arab leaders now want to be seen openly cooperating with Washington, given the sharp rise in anti-American sentiment among the populations they rule,” it said, mostly because of the brutal war in Gaza.