In today’s volatile world order, President Vladimir Putin is often hailed as the most significant threat to the United States’ global supremacy. With Russia’s controversial BRICS agenda and the intensifying rivalry between the West and its Eastern challengers, some believe the survival of the Western Liberal Order may be at stake. But is Putin really the ultimate adversary, or merely a pawn in a much larger game orchestrated by China? A closer examination of historical trends and current geopolitical maneuvers suggests a complex answer.
The Rise of America as a World Power
The United States’ ascent to global dominance was solidified in 1898 when it seized control of the Spanish Empire, stepping onto the world stage for the first time. However, it wasn’t until after World War I (WWI) that the U.S. fully embraced its role as the leader of a new world order centered on liberal democracy and economic freedom. During this period, American foreign policy adopted a dual strategy: internationalism—engagement in global affairs often championed by Democrats—and isolationism, an inward-focused policy traditionally favored by Republicans.
The end of World War II (WWII) marked the beginning of America’s modern global influence. International institutions like the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank were founded with substantial U.S. involvement to rebuild and reshape the war-torn world . The Marshall Plan, specifically, channeled billions of dollars to reconstruct Western Europe, laying the foundation for today’s Liberal Order. NATO, in turn, emerged as a bulwark against Soviet aggression, officially kicking off the Cold War—a period of intense rivalry with the Soviet Union that set the stage for the U.S. as the world’s ultimate superpower.
The New Adversary: China’s Rise and the BRICS Coalition
While Putin and Russia remain firmly opposed to U.S. dominance, the American establishment regards China as its true rival. The rise of China has brought about an alternative worldview, one that challenges the Western Liberal Order with a model of economic development and governance that doesn’t rely on democratic principles. This model has found traction with emerging economies across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, many of whom have united under the BRICS coalition. Through BRICS, China has pushed for initiatives like a new reserve currency backed by a consortium of nations, a direct challenge to the supremacy of the U.S. dollar.
Despite Putin’s ambitions, it’s crucial to recognize that Russia’s economic and military power is vastly overshadowed by that of China. Observers argue that Putin is merely a “pawn” in China’s grand strategy—one that seeks to disrupt American influence by economically engaging developing countries while keeping the U.S. preoccupied with a “Russian threat”. Some analysts contend that China’s ultimate goal is to destabilize the U.S. dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency, thereby weakening America’s financial grip on global affairs.
America’s “106-Year Reign”: The Dollar as the World Reserve Currency
The U.S. dollar has dominated global finance since it became the world’s reserve currency in 1944, largely through the Bretton Woods Agreement. This agreement granted the dollar unprecedented stability and acceptance in international trade, further cemented by the “petrodollar” system, which links the dollar to global oil sales. By holding vast reserves in dollars, nations like Saudi Arabia and China have tied their economic futures to the currency. This reliance has deterred these countries from fully embracing alternative currencies proposed by BRICS.
Recent attempts to establish a BRICS currency underscore the mounting challenge to dollar supremacy, especially as more nations sign onto the BRICS platform. If successful, this could mark a profound shift in global economic power. However, a complete displacement of the dollar remains unlikely. Countries like China and Saudi Arabia still hold substantial dollar reserves, making it economically risky to abandon the currency that underpins their financial stability.
The Battle for Global Dominance: A 21st-Century Chess Game
While Putin’s maneuvers in Ukraine and his alignment with BRICS partners have signaled his resolve to defy Western influence, the U.S. administration’s ultimate concern remains clear: defending the dollar. President Biden and his predecessors have pursued policies that maintain dollar hegemony, including sanctions, military alliances, and economic incentives for allies to support the current order.
A dislodged U.S. dollar would spell an end to over a century of American dominance, a prospect that Washington is determined to prevent at all costs. Although Putin has made impressive strides as a so-called “crusader” for the Global South, some analysts argue that his role is largely symbolic—a Hollywood-style narrative that distracts from the larger power struggle unfolding between the U.S. and China.
The Geopolitical Future of the U.S., Russia, and China
Putin may be an intelligence strategist and a survivor of Russia’s turbulent history, but the battle for global supremacy is larger than him or even Russia. As the BRICS coalition grows and alternative financial structures emerge, the question of U.S. dominance rests on its ability to adapt to new economic realities. However, the entwined fates of the dollar and global energy markets provide the U.S. with a strategic advantage that is unlikely to be undone by a single nation’s ambition.
The world stands at a crossroads. How the U.S., China, and Russia navigate these complexities will define the 21st century. For now, Putin remains a formidable figure, but perhaps not the one who will ultimately disrupt the global order. That prize, or peril, may lie with China.
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Image by Grégory Roose from Pixabay