By Hafsa Akram
Global power dynamics are shifting as the international system is becoming increasingly multipolar, challenging the traditional dominance of the United States in the international system.
Through its economic capacity and political will, the U.S. government has contributed significantly to the development of the international system. Multipolarity brings increased competition among major players, which could have a significant impact on global politics.
In the past month, the United States has experienced a painful awakening to the multipolar realities of the new international order, created by strategic interests in arbitrary ideals. Interestingly, Washington has been made aware of this new reality not only by the acts of the Global South, but also by the sudden shift in the stance of its allied partners in the West toward China.
Several developments, including the normalisation of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, brokered by China, and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’s trip to Africa, where she met resistance from leaders arguing that they should not allow China’s influence, to French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for less interdependence with the United States, saying Europe should not interfere in the event of a war between China and the United States over the Taiwan dispute. Macron also moved closer to increasing trade with China.
America’s hegemonic position in world affairs and its ability to influence the trade and diplomatic policies of friendly and hostile countries have been the subject of attention over the past two years. Analysts and academics disagree on the causes of this decline, with some scholars even attributing it to the 2008 global financial crisis. Among the causes of this decline is the emergence of right-wing populism in America, due to the retreat of democratic values after the 2021 Capitol Hill bombing and the embarrassing withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
However, the decline has accelerated in the past two years and is only getting worse due to the American reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the division of the world into democracies and autocracies. Disengagement and withdrawal from global politics have given new regional and global actors the opportunity to assume leadership positions.
Countries in the Global South came to fill the hole after damaging allegations that the United States restricted exports of raw materials for vaccines during the epidemic. Before the Biden administration understood the importance of vaccine diplomacy, China, India and Russia, countries that many Western commentators classify as authoritarian, provided vaccines, oxygen tanks and personal protective equipment, even sending medical teams to developing countries.
The U.S. then imposed sanctions on Moscow in reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to soaring global prices for oil, fertiliser and wheat, as well as soaring inflation in several regions of Asia. Most of the countries that voted against or abstained from the resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine were also allies of America.
Interestingly, this strategy of nonalignment also applies to Africa’s position toward China. African leaders refused to bend when U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris tried to convince them to support the administration’s dispute with China during her visit. Moreover, the U.S. ability to weaponize its currency has been highlighted by sanctions against Russia, making the call to “de-dollarize” or diversify reserve currencies even more urgent. Through currency exchanges and bilateral agreements, such as those with Brazil and Russia, China has begun to internationalise the yuan.
The demand to abandon the dollar will only get stronger as major oil producers show interest in joining the BRICS alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa and Saudi Arabia’s decision to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a participant in the dialogue. Even Macron has asked for greater strategic autonomy and discussed the “extraterritoriality of the US dollar”.
In addition, Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged the promotion of Indonesian alternatives to Visa and Mastercard during a recent meeting with local leaders. As he has long supported the government-run RuPay digital payment system, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is far ahead in this regard.
The United States is unable to address global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, conflict, and cybersecurity, and many countries and some see it as a source of instability. A multi-alignment approach like this would advance U.S. interests around the world while avoiding undue diplomatic pressure on otherwise capable regional allies.
The United States should adopt a coordinated and nuanced approach based on a deep understanding of the complexities of the international system. Instead of lining up behind the status quo, the United States must develop its own unique solutions to these problems.
Author: Hafsa Akram – Independent political expert based in Pakistan. She writes for the Midstone Centre for International Affairs and several media forums. Her area of expertise is Afghanistan and the Middle East.
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights).
Image Source: AP/Susan Walsh/File (A virtual meeting of President Joe Biden with Chinese President Xi Jinping).