Or to put it another way - is the binary US/China choice as top dog a false one?

I suspect most countries would prefer a multi-polar world where the majority is dominant ( democratic ), not one particular country ( autocratic ).

ie why do we have to choose to be under the heel of the US or under the heel of China?

The US has been playing the benevolent dictator role for the last 70 years, but when faced with losing the dictator role, the benevolent facade is dropping.

The US is mistaken to think that countries not wanting US dominance is the same as wanting Chinese dominance - they, in fact, want neither.

▲

amrocha 2 days ago | parent [-]

The global south would argue that there’s been nothing benevolent about pax americana.

▲

esseph 2 days ago | parent [-]

How are those Chinese infrastructure loans going in Africa and South America?

▲

dpc050505 2 days ago | parent | next [-]

They're leading to a bit more prosperity (albeit awfully uneven) and relative peace. Trade is a lot better than war.

▲

amrocha 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

They’re pretty good as far as I know, my country didn’t receive any of those but I’ve visited countries in Africa that have received them and they’re getting really great infrastructure and knowledge sharing from them!

▲

esseph 2 days ago | parent [-]

China picked up a 99 year lease on Hambantota Port for one Chinese firm in Sri Lanka after they defaulted to the tune of 51Bn.

Zambia defaulted during the pandemic.

Ethiopia defaulted in 2023.

Ghana suspended payments on most external debt to try and make the Chinese debt payments in 2022/2023.

Pakistan just keeps rolling those loans into other loans so it won't default.

Loas got so bad China now owns their power grid.

Suriname defaulted in 2020.

Kenya stopped paying govt workers for awhile to make their loan payments.

"Recent reports from the Lowy Institute and the World Bank indicate that 75 of the world's poorest countries face a record high of approximately $35 billion in debt repayments to China in 2025 alone."

2026 will see more countries default to be pressed into extreme measures to make the payments.

▲

amrocha 2 days ago | parent [-]

Ok, and? What does that have to do with the USA invading deposing couping 90% of countries in south america, starting wars in the middle east, and saddling all of africa with debt via the IMF and WB?

▲

esseph 2 days ago | parent [-]

I guess it comes down to who you your government wants to be in debt to, and if you're willing to potentially starve to death so your government can pay off the loan.

▲

amrocha 2 days ago | parent [-]

You’re the one drawing an equivalency between USA and China where there is none

▲

esseph 2 days ago | parent [-]

Everybody works for someone.

	▲	amrocha 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		I reject that framing