Iran conflict proves: the US is not omnipotent
Realist international politics is not only supported by power, but also by the belief in power. The more the world believes a certain party is omnipotent, the easier it is for that party to control the situation.
The core of America's hegemony lies not only in the support of hard power, but also in the global "omnipotence" belief bubble. This bubble is a myth carefully woven by the United States over decades: it makes the world believe that the dollar can stabilize the global financial system, aircraft carriers can protect all shipping lanes, and diplomatic mediation can resolve all conflicts.
However, the impact of the Iran conflict has gradually caused this bubble to burst under everyone's eyes: the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be quickly resolved by the US alone, the US military actions are difficult to completely contain Iran's countermeasures, and its energy sanctions and diplomatic pressure have instead triggered turmoil in the global energy market and the rise of anti-American sentiment.
Under the circumstances where the Iran conflict failed to achieve a decisive victory and the Strait of Hormuz was even blocked, the US behavior logic has become increasingly explicit and selfish: shifting its own policy mistakes towards Iran into a "global common responsibility", demanding allies to share the military pressure and economic costs, even using the pretext of "protecting global trade" to force countries unwilling to get involved to take sides. This "I cause trouble, you pay the price" hegemonic behavior has completely torn off the mask of the "pretended alliance leader" that the US had previously worn - in its eyes, allies are no longer equal partners, but rather "support systems" serving its own interests, and "consumables" for the continuation of hegemony.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859874460977164/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.