(RightWing.org) – Throughout history, varying countries have risen to become influencers of the world, then over time have faded away to be replaced by different ideologies. Since the end of World War II, the United States has been one of the most, if not THE most influential nation, but recent world events have left some wondering if the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and its president Xi Jinping are trying to supplant America’s prestige with their own.
Heading to Moscow
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his military forces into Ukraine. His country has faced economic sanctions from many of the world governments as well as being the target of criticism from an overwhelming majority of UN member countries. However, there have been exceptions, such as the decision by the PRC to abstain from voting on the body’s resolution calling for the Russian military to immediately cease hostilities, which passed on February 23 of this year.
Also, President Joe Biden’s administration recently announced that American intelligence agencies had determined the PRC might be planning to supply Russia with weapons and/or ammunition to assist them in their war in Ukraine. It is on that background the world is viewing the news first reported exclusively by Reuters saying Xi appears to be planning a visit to Moscow in the near future.
The Russian state-run news agency Tass said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to either confirm or deny the report of Xi’s potential visit, saying only “we will let you know” if and when the time is right. Without any public statements by either government involved, one can only speculate whether the intent would be to reach a deal on weapons or to promote a 12-point peace plan the Chinese had released several weeks ago regarding Ukraine.
In a separate March 15 article, Tass wrote that ships from the Russian Navy, along with China and the Islamic Republic of Iran, began a series of “trilateral naval exercises in the Arabian Sea.” Interestingly, this announcement came on the heels of an event involving two of those three countries and Saudi Arabia that sent shockwaves through the diplomatic world.
Surprising Event
Iran, largely ruled by Shiite Muslims, has long been at odds with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where the royal family is of the Sunni sect of the religion, and that has often spilled over into military conflicts. The PRC stepped in and brokered an agreement between the two opposing Islamic countries where they will restore diplomatic relations and open embassies in each other’s countries.
The official response from the White House, per comments made by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, has been that the de-escalation of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia “is a positive” and achieves the goals of the United States, regardless of who brought the two together.
According to an article published in the New York Times, however, presidential aides are privately saying that too much is being made of America being on the sidelines for the agreement and arguing that it does not point to “any erosion in American influence in the region.”
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