America Is Now a Rogue Superpower • Hacker News Board

Re: America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

#31

Post by partiallypro » Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:28 PM UTC

amarant wrote: post #4

[flagged]

The US attacking one of Russia's only remaining allies, and one of their biggest arms dealers, is a backdoor effort to help Russia? How does that even make sense? I really think people should log off for a while and actual evaluate what they are saying instead of listening to totally online grifters.

Could this help Russia in the very short term? Sure, does it mostly hurt them in the long run? Probably a lot more so, assuming the regime were to actually fall especially (feels like it's not going to at this point.)

The US not being able to control their strait also shows China just how difficult controlling the "South China Sea" would be in the event of an invasion of Taiwan. Which is just a stupid coincidence.

Re: America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

#32

Post by bestouff » Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:30 PM UTC

abhiyerra wrote: post #18

WarmWash wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

China's biggest hurdle that they cannot manufacture is experience. They have virtually zero. How much of China's military command is a crony boys club full of people who never had to militarily prove anything? Just "win" at their own made up war games?

The real problem I see is the one child policy. If China decides to go to war and say they have 1000 deaths. How many bloodline die? I feel like there would be a hesitation to fight on the Chinese side if they were to take any losses. It is one of the reasons I don’t believe China would take on Taiwan.

Well no. This will be the same as in the other countries : when you're poor and sufficiently brainwashed you go to war to "defend" your country, no question asked.

Re: America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

#33

Post by xg15 » Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:31 PM UTC

12971h wrote: post #24

Robert Kagan is not wrong about many points, but it is worth noting that he is one of the leading neocons, husband of Nuland, and architect of PNAC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_for_the_New_American_C... The think tank (Brookings Institute) which he is part of laid out the Iran strategy "Path to Persia" something like 15 years ago. I think he does recognize that the US needs Europe for projecting power, so t…

Yeah, given that there are some theories floating around that Trump is actually executing the "Path to Persia" paper, it's interesting that those people are (ostensibly) distancing themselves from it.

Re: America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

#34

Post by reamaer » Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:32 PM UTC

casey2 wrote: post #6

amarant wrote: post #4

[flagged]

Since they are currently at war with Ukraine if they make a profit from selling oil Ukraine will just drone strike their ports. These weird conspiracy theories that the US moves at the behest of Israel and Russia don't hold any water.

If conspiracy exists, it's not US, just single person so ewhere at the top. If leverage exists, it might not dictate every move, just enough to help out the strategic direction.

Re: America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

#35

Post by bestouff » Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:33 PM UTC

bamboozled wrote: post #17

jmyeet wrote: post #16

How times have changed when a neoliberal institution (not quite as bad as The Economist) openly says this: > Even the threat of terrorism from the region was a consequence of American involvement, not the reason for it. Had the United States not been deeply and consistently involved in the Muslim world since the 1940s, Islamic militants would have little interest in attacking an indifferent nation 5,000 miles and two…

China has played much much better chess so it's not surprise they're benefiting. However, I don't really see how China will benefit from Iran being in ruins. Can you elaborate on how China benefits ? From what I can tell, The USA is either going for force a regime change or it's going to ruin Iran. Where will China get oil from then? You might say Russia but that's a precarious situation for them to be in.

They become a serious partner for many countries disillusioned by the US.

Re: America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

#36

Post by WarmWash » Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:34 PM UTC

abhiyerra wrote: post #18

WarmWash wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

China's biggest hurdle that they cannot manufacture is experience. They have virtually zero. How much of China's military command is a crony boys club full of people who never had to militarily prove anything? Just "win" at their own made up war games?

The real problem I see is the one child policy. If China decides to go to war and say they have 1000 deaths. How many bloodline die? I feel like there would be a hesitation to fight on the Chinese side if they were to take any losses. It is one of the reasons I don’t believe China would take on Taiwan.

While true, China still has around 100,000,000 men between the ages of 20 and 35. Even a millions deaths would be tolerable, which itself seems crazy for an invasion of Taiwan.

Re: America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

#37

Post by monknomo » Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:34 PM UTC

bamboozled wrote: post #17

jmyeet wrote: post #16

How times have changed when a neoliberal institution (not quite as bad as The Economist) openly says this: > Even the threat of terrorism from the region was a consequence of American involvement, not the reason for it. Had the United States not been deeply and consistently involved in the Muslim world since the 1940s, Islamic militants would have little interest in attacking an indifferent nation 5,000 miles and two…

China has played much much better chess so it's not surprise they're benefiting. However, I don't really see how China will benefit from Iran being in ruins. Can you elaborate on how China benefits ? From what I can tell, The USA is either going for force a regime change or it's going to ruin Iran. Where will China get oil from then? You might say Russia but that's a precarious situation for them to be in.

china benefits from America eroding its global power is what the thesis is, I believe.

Iran being a quagmire that erode's America's global power.

Re: America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

#38

Post by arkensaw » Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:37 PM UTC

lo_zamoyski wrote: post #28

amarant wrote: post #4

[flagged]

If there's any constant across the political spectrum, it is that Putin is some kind of magical wizard. The only difference of opinion is whether he's a good wizard or bad one.

if he was a magical wizard (good or bad) surely Ukraine would be part of Russia by now, and not a 4 year long quagmire

Re: America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

#39

Post by lo_zamoyski » Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:38 PM UTC

orwin wrote: post #25

amarant wrote: post #4

[flagged]

You assume way too much competence on either side.

Worse, it is simply unrealistic no matter how competent you are. Conspiracy theories always hinge on highly improbable conditions to hold or require someone have fantastical abilities.

Re: America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

#40

Post by lo_zamoyski » Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:38 PM UTC

arkensaw wrote: post #38

lo_zamoyski wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If there's any constant across the political spectrum, it is that Putin is some kind of magical wizard. The only difference of opinion is whether he's a good wizard or bad one.

if he was a magical wizard (good or bad) surely Ukraine would be part of Russia by now, and not a 4 year long quagmire

Tell that to the conspiracy theorists.