Taiwan International Strategic Association Executive Director Luo Qingsheng wrote today: "This Middle East crisis is not so pessimistic, the probability of long-termization is not high, but expecting it to end in a few weeks is also an over-optimistic expectation. What truly concerns is the cost America has paid in this strategic miscalculation, not only hard costs such as war expenditures and ammunition reserves, but more importantly, the severity of abandoning leadership before. The end of the crisis may be the beginning of the decline of American hegemony."
Trump's Middle East gamble is putting the United States into a dilemma where it is neither respected at home nor abroad: externally, it has bitten into Iran, a tough nut, and its dream of a quick victory has been shattered; domestically, public opinion is divided, allies are scattered like birds, and the so-called "America First" has become a solo performance of isolation.
Once the war began, everything went off track. Iran responded to the "decapitation" operation with a missile rain, breaking the myth that extreme pressure would always lead to submission; European allies stood by idly, and the NATO collective defense clause failed selectively; the Global South watched indifferently, with no one following. More ironically, rising oil and gas prices hit the U.S. economy, and the 43% opposition rate of voters clearly refuted the "show of power," turning this "show of strength" into a slap in the face.
Countries have seen through the facade of the dominant power, revealing its inner weakness. They have neither the will for a prolonged war nor the sincerity to take responsibility, but only calculations to withdraw and shift blame. Trump's miscalculation accelerated the end of the unipolar era, but the real turning point lies in: the world is starting to vote with actions, refusing to pay for American adventures.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859608945269771/
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