At the Munich Security Conference in Germany, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked, "If you are not at the table in the international system, you're going to be on the menu." He also emphasized, "It is important for us to re-engage multilaterally, and we have done that."  Almost two decades ago, the world grappled with similar rhetoric from the then President, George W. Bush: "Every nation in every region now has a decision to make—either you are with us or you are with the terrorists." The aftermath of Bush's declaration witnessed a systematic destabilization by the West. The US-backed 'War on Terror' failed to bring peace while it destabilized peaceful countries and turned them into erupting volcanoes.

In the name of the 'war on terror', the US military-industrial complex and technology giants have made huge profits through contracts with the US military and other government agencies.  Michael Moore's documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11," uncovers the heartbreaking truths behind such unholy alliances.

Blinken's rhetoric coincides with a period where Biden's global influence is dimming. Notably, Biden's Ukraine venture has already turned into a total mess, where Western leaders are putting billions of dollars into a black hole.

The Hamas-Israel conflict somewhat serves as a distraction from the Ukraine debacle. However, global leaders are increasingly skeptical of the Biden administration's reliance. The attempt to open a new front in Yemen appears to mask their struggles in Israel. Biden's failure to exert control over ally Benjamin Netanyahu and navigate relations with Arab nations has contributed to the skepticism. Additionally, nations in the Global South are becoming hesitant regarding US demands, highlighting the missteps of the Biden administration in shaping global geopolitics.

Deepening global divisions

The "War on Terror," declared by President George W. Bush in 2001 exacerbated divisions globally. This conflict exposed a crusade mentality with Islamophobia and xenophobia, aligning with Samuel P. Huntington's concept in "Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order." The transformation of the war from counterterrorism to counterinsurgency and followed by nation-building missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya highlighted the inconsistencies of the West. When President Biden assumed his office, he said, "the mission in Afghanistan was never supposed to be for nation-building". The statement exposed his tendency to bring global conflicts, destabilizing regions and excluding rivals from the negotiation table.

Indeed, the historical record shows instances where Western leaders, including the false claims about Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, demonstrated a pattern of deception. Similarly, the portrayal of the war in Afghanistan as successful contradicted the reality of the situation.

Blinken's rhetoric serves to highlight that the expenditure in US-led wars often functions as a means to channel money out of the tax bases of Western nations and their allies, ultimately benefiting defense contractors. This echoes President Dwight D. Eisenhower's caution about the influence of the military-industrial complex, emphasizing how the United States is influenced by its whims. The war on terror, with its questionable outcomes and financial implications, aligns with Eisenhower's concern about the complex's impact on the nation.

On the other hand, China, an economic superpower, has adopted the policy to promote multi-alignment among countries, described as 'balance diplomacy' and 'positive balancing.' Chinese foreign policies are designed in a way that appeals to countries in the Global South that feel increasingly alienated from the US-led rules-based international order. After the Saudi-Iran breakthrough, Beijing began to position itself as an impartial and trustworthy partner. China does not influence or interfere in other countries' domestic affairs and refrains from 'war-opportune economic' gains. However, since President George W. Bush launched the war on terror in September 2001, the top five US defense industry companies—Boeing, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics—have earned $2.2 trillion from Afghanistan alone.

Shift in global dynamics

Blinken's statement reflects the dilemma of the Biden administration, which reflects a broader trend of declining US influence in today's multipolar world to rally countries around it. Economically and militarily, the Global South is emerging as a leading power, and it is challenging the traditional hegemony of the West, particularly the United States. As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said tellingly at the Munich Conference, " The world's second-largest economy cannot be sliced out of world trade."

The struggle that the United States has faced to garner support for the Yemen campaign illustrates its diminishing ability to rally its allies to its causes. The lack of nations willing to engage in a war for US interests signals a shift in global dynamics. Even longstanding allies, such as Israel, appear less inclined to align with US policies. This growing isolation has led to the US being exposed to accusations of engaging in dirty politics when it suits its interests. 

(The author is a political and defense analyst based in Bangladesh. Views are personal. He can be contacted at writetomahossain@gmail.com)