Return Of The Multipolar Order: Managing US-Russia-China Geopolitical Tensions

DR. Christopher Zambakari, B.S., MBA, MIS, LP.D., PHF
Founder & CEO, The Zambakari Advisory
Hartley B. and Ruth B. Barker Endowed Rotary Peace Fellow
Assistant Editor, Bulletin of The Sudan Studies Association

Credit: Beautiful landscape/Shutterstock

In our Spring 2023 Special Issue: “The Great Power Competition in Eurasia,” we invited experts, including Ambassador Charles W. Freeman Jr., to analyze the historical context of the Ukraine conflict. We examine the role of the U.S.-led NATO alliance, China's emergence, and more. Freeman, a former U.S. assistant secretary of defense and diplomat, warns against military-centric diplomacy. His Q&A, 'Ukraine, China, and the Global Failure of US Policy,' explores nuclear risks and the need for global partnership. Freeman fears the worst, if the U.S. doesn’t turn its focus away from military prowess and territorialism and, instead, concentrate on being a better world partner.

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The world is currently facing a significant challenge, as the US relationship with both Russia and China has been facing tensions over various geopolitical issues. These tensions have been exacerbated by the growing confrontation over the war in Ukraine and China's rapprochement with Russia. Chas W. Freeman Jr., former US Ambassador, has been vocal about his views on these issues, and his insights offer a unique perspective on how we can move forward and find a way to resolve these conflicts.
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The US-Russia relationship has undergone significant changes since the end of the Cold War. During the 1990s, the US played a critical role in Russia's transition from a socialist system to a capitalist one. However, this relationship started to deteriorate after the US-led NATO bombing campaign in Serbia, which Russia viewed as an infringement on its sphere of influence. This was followed by the US's withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the expansion of NATO into Eastern Europe, and the US's support for color revolutions in former Soviet states. These events have contributed to Russia's increasing assertiveness in the international arena, which has created a tense situation with the US.

China, on the other hand, has been viewed as a rising power that challenges the US's global dominance. Historically, the US-China relationship has been fraught with tension, from the US's support for Taiwan to the trade war that has been ongoing for several years. China's growing military and economic power have also contributed to tensions, with the US perceiving China as a threat to its interests. The COVID-19 pandemic has further strained the relationship, with the US accusing China of mishandling the initial outbreak and engaging in a propaganda war.

The war in Ukraine has been a significant point of contention between the US and Russia. The conflict began in 2014, when pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine declared independence, and Russia annexed Crimea. The US has been supporting the Ukrainian government with military aid, and sanctions against Russia have been imposed. The situation in Ukraine has been framed by mainstream media as a struggle between pro-democracy forces and Russian aggression. However, Ambassador Freeman has a different view. He argues that the US's involvement in Ukraine has been a misguided attempt to expand NATO's influence, which has been perceived by Russia as a direct threat to its national security. According to Freeman, the US should have recognized Russia's concerns and worked towards a peaceful resolution.

The US-China relationship has also been facing growing hostilities over Taiwan. China views Taiwan as a part of its territory and has been increasingly assertive in its claims. The US has been supporting Taiwan with military aid, and some politicians have been advocating for closer ties with Taiwan. This has led to increasing tensions between the US and China, with the possibility of a military conflict becoming a real concern.

Despite the challenges, there are counter opinions on how to move forward and improve the relationship between the US and China. Ambassador Freeman has advocated for a more nuanced approach towards China, recognizing its growing economic and military power while also acknowledging areas of concern. He has argued for engagement with China on issues such as climate change and global governance, while also seeking to resolve differences over Taiwan and the South China Sea. This approach would require the US to move away from its confrontational stance towards China and seek areas of cooperation.

In terms of the war in Ukraine, Freeman has argued for a diplomatic resolution that recognizes Russia's interests in the region. He believes that the US should work towards a ceasefire and negotiate a political settlement that recognizes the rights of all parties involved. This approach would require a shift away from the current framing of the conflict as a struggle between pro-democracy forces and Russian aggression, and towards a more nuanced understanding of the complex historical and geopolitical factors at play.

About the Author
Christopher Zambakari holds a Doctor of Law and Policy degree from Northeastern University and is chief executive officer of The Zambakari Advisory. He is a Hartley B. and Ruth B. Barker Endowed Rotary Peace Fellow, and the assistant editor of The Bulletin of the Sudan Studies Association. His area of research and expertise is international law and security, political reform and economic development, governance and democracy, conflict management and prevention, and nation- and state-building processes in Africa and in the Middle East. His work has been published in leading law, economic, and public policy journals.