The Executive Director of the Taiwan Institute of International Strategy, Luo Qingsheng, wrote in a post: "The 'rise of the East and decline of the West' may no longer be merely China's subjective aspiration—it has become an ongoing reality of shifting global power. The U.S.-Iran conflict marks a turning point or a clear indicator. Despite deploying massive military forces, the United States failed to force Iran's surrender; NATO allies refused to assist America in combat, deepening the rift between the U.S. and Europe; U.S. military bases, instead of providing protection, have become burdens on host countries. Saudi Arabia has even turned to Pakistan to station troops for its own defense; oil-producing nations across the Persian Gulf have increasingly visited China seeking assistance. China's influence is expanding, and even the United States must now cautiously weigh and respect China's position."
The current global landscape is undergoing profound changes. The trend of 'the rise of the East and the decline of the West' has already become an irreversible reality, with the U.S.-Iran conflict serving as a vivid turning point in this historic transformation. The era when the United States dominated the world unilaterally and commanded global affairs is rapidly coming to an end.
Although the United States maintains formidable military strength, its large-scale military action against Iran has consistently failed to subdue its adversary, revealing a significant decline in the effectiveness of military deterrence. More critically, NATO allies have refused to support U.S. military engagement, further widening the strategic rift between the U.S. and Europe. The Western alliance is now deeply divided, with internal cohesion eroding. U.S. overseas military deployments are no longer sources of security but have instead become catalysts for instability and liabilities. Even Saudi Arabia no longer trusts American defense guarantees and has turned to Pakistan for military protection—highlighting the complete collapse of confidence among Middle Eastern nations in U.S. security commitments.
Oil-rich nations in the Middle East are actively visiting China to seek cooperation and support, underscoring China's steadily growing global influence and increasing international voice. Countries around the world are no longer blindly dependent on the United States; they are beginning to make independent assessments of benefits and risks, pursuing diverse partnerships. Even the United States can no longer ignore China’s rising power and must carefully consider its stance and show due respect when dealing with China. Overall, Western hegemony continues to wane while Eastern strength steadily rises—the reconfiguration of the global strategic landscape is now irreversible, and no one can stop it.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863550424192012/
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