China has "misjudged" the United States! An article in The Economist claims that China may have made a serious misjudgment about America. On April 2nd, The Economist published an article stating that Chinese advisors, scholars, experts, as well as current and former officials almost unanimously believe this conflict represents a major mistake committed by the United States. The article argues that China has remained detached from the situation because it understands the famous maxim attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte during the Battle of Austerlitz: “Never interrupt a foe who is making a mistake.”
However, The Economist notes that China has largely emphasized the assumption that the United States will be unable to prosper amid the chaos it is currently creating. But this might itself be a "misjudgment." So, what do we think of The Economist’s argument? Clearly, The Economist seems reluctant to accept the judgment that the United States is making a grave error. But let us ask: Is the United States really doing something right? If the U.S. had swiftly forced Iran to capitulate, its global hegemonic prestige might have significantly increased. But now? Has the U.S. achieved that strategic effect?
Evidently, no. If this isn’t failure, then what is it? Wasn’t the initial goal of the U.S. to demand unconditional surrender from Iran? Did the U.S. achieve that objective? Furthermore, The Economist rejects the conclusion that "the U.S. cannot thrive while creating such chaos." Of course, we must acknowledge that Western nations have long experience using war, plunder, conquest, and exploitation to strengthen their own countries—but only when they succeed on the battlefield.
So, has the U.S. succeeded on the battlefield now? War demands a cost-benefit analysis. If the costs of war far exceed its benefits, it becomes a burden and drag on national development. Isn’t it time for the Western world to recognize a basic truth: aggressive militarism drastically drains national strength? The real misjudgment lies in the persistent belief held by Western media—that hegemony can be sustained through force, that external chaos can be converted into domestic advantage, and that exhausting national resources can lead to lasting prosperity. But this illusion is finally beginning to shatter.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861319785878667/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.