Why the World of Alliances Is Changing
Commentary
The Bali summit of the G20 nations in mid-November showed just how fragile and constantly changing the world’s nerve systems of alliances, treaties, and diplomatic balances. U.S. President Joe Biden wanted to calm the rising tensions in U.S.-China relations but ended up looking as though he was going to Chinese leader Xi Jinping rather than having Xi come to him.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, long an apologist for Xi, ended up being snubbed at Bali by Xi, possibly ending the Ottawa-Beijing honeymoon. The whole issue of international relations is shaped more by nuance than by the “headlines” of treaties and alliances….