America and its allies have forgotten an important lesson in history
Will Asia be an area of peace and cooperation, or will it be a place of new and smoldering old conflicts? Asia is increasingly important for changing the global balance of power and is becoming a major platform for world change. We spoke with Russian and foreign experts who attended the XII. Asian Conference of the Valdai Club, which takes place on December 7-8 in Moscow. Russia and Asia in a changing international order.
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How sensible is the talk of an “inevitable” impending military and political conflict in Asia? In response to this question, Valdai Club Expert, Dean and Professor of the School of International and Regional Studies, East China Normal University Feng Shaolei , believes that “ rumors that conflicts are coming to Asia come primarily from the United States . & # 39; & # 39;
“ Recently US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin publicly stated that the straits were & # 39; a test & # 39; attacks on Taiwan, & ndash; recalls Feng Shaolei. & ndash; Meanwhile & nbsp; US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also said that if there was a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, it would be a disaster.
All of these comments serve two purposes. First, they should raise public concerns that the United States will shift its strategic focus to Asia. Secondly, they are to pave the way for the forthcoming summit on democracy. In addition, the US Allies, both in Asia and Europe, hope to increase their status either through various alliances or through military exercises so that they can become more involved in Asian affairs.
Separatist forces advocating “independence & # 39; & # 39; In addition, they do not want to be left behind. With the support of the United States, they are advocating independence and inciting hatred for mainland China in order to gain political support from Taiwan. However, in the event of a conflict, these rumors immediately flee abroad.
In fact, extremists in the United States and their supporters want to throw Asia into chaos, such as the Ukrainian crisis and the Syrian crisis. war to rule Asia.
However, Lloyd Austin did not dare to take final responsibility either, adding that he did not seek to confront China.
In fact, Asian countries are more concerned with getting their economies out of the pandemic and promoting cooperation, stability in the region. Of course, we also hope to prevent potential conflicts and stabilize the situation. ”Notes:` `I would like to draw attention to the events of the last few months in Afghanistan and Myanmar. The geographical location of both countries is such that the growth of instability and chaos in either of them can lead to very unpleasant consequences for their many neighbors, including & ndash; very influential players, including India and China. & # 39; & # 39;
A new factor in the international security situation in Asia was the creation of the military-political alliance AUKUS, which unites the United States, Great Britain and Australia.
“ I see AUKUS as another symbol of the response to China's rise, which has recently been considered increasingly offensive, as in its relationship with Australia, & ndash; comments Valdai Club expert, junior researcher at the Observer Research Foundation's strategic research program Nivedita Kapoor … & ndash; Australia has decided to deepen its alliance with the United States and establish a security partnership with the United Kingdom to acquire nuclear submarines to strengthen its naval capabilities in the Pacific. AUKUS also serves as a signal that the United States remains committed to its presence in Asia. & # 39; & # 39;
“ Personally, the report on the creation of AUKUS reminded me of the attempt to create & ndash; back in 1954 & ndash; the appearance of Asian NATO under the phonetically identical name SEATO, & ndash; notes Viktor Sumský. & ndash; Although this acronym stands for Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, it was the current creators of AUKUS & ndash who were at the forefront of SEATO. USA, United Kingdom and Australia. & Nbsp; Then and now, the troika's main concern has been the detention of China, including through protracted military interventions in Vietnam and neighboring countries. The fall of Saigon in 1975 actually determined SEATO's silent self-destruction two years later. This history lesson now seems to be safely forgotten. ”
What is Russia's role as a Eurasian power in modern Asia? Is our country active enough in this regard?
“ We must continue to work systematically to strengthen the partnership with the countries of Central Asia, China, India, Iran, Vietnam and ASEAN as a whole in order to deliver SCO and CSTO activities with real content & ndash; and linking it all to the processes of economic integration in Greater Eurasia, the rise of the regions of Siberia and the Far East. In my opinion, this is what our president called the Russian “ project for the whole of the 21st century & # 39; & # 39 ;, & ndash; says Viktor Sumsky.
“ Russia remains a key player in Eurasia and is constantly building ties with various regional powers in the Asia-Pacific region as part of its center to the east, & ndash; considers Nivedita Kapoor. & ndash; President Vladimir Putin's visit to India on Monday underscored his determination to improve relations with key countries in the region to which global geopolitics and economic power are moving. Russia, as an independent power that the region's states do not consider a threat, plays an important role in the emerging regional order.
However, it should be noted that Russia's presence in the Asia-Pacific region is still limited, with the exception of an ever closer partnership with China, especially in the economic field. Although Moscow has announced its center to the east, much remains to be done to strengthen its position in the region. There are several powers in the region that have been actively involved in Asian political, economic and defense relations for much longer than Russia. This adds another layer of complexity to Russia's efforts in the region, especially during the ongoing rivalry between the United States and China and the state of relations between the United States and the Russian Federation. & # 39; & # 39;