The Countries Plotting to End America’s World Order

• America has led the Western world order for decades. But now, via a series of official and unofficial alliances, China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are attempting to end its reign.

• China and Russia are growing economic relationships with African countries, while Iran remains economically entrenched across the Middle East.

• Militarily, all four are expanding their footprints, from Russia sending warships to Central America to North Korea sending troops to Ukraine.

The story

Two major dates defined the current world order: 1945 and 1991.

In 1945, Allied Powers won World War II. They established a new system named the United Nations. Victors on the U.N. Security Council — America, the Soviet Union, Britain, France, and China — were in charge while competing in the bipolar Cold War between the U.S. and USSR. Five countries competed for economic dominance and influence across the Third World, from Africa to the Middle East, to South America to Southeast Asia.

1991 saw the collapse of the Soviet Union and ushered in “unipolarity;” the United States was now unmatched. Its most significant threat in the unipolar era was terrorism — though that threat could never seriously jeopardize America’s dominance like the Soviets could have.

But 33 years later, a collection of states is congealing against the American world order. The states — primarily Russia, North Korea, Iran, and China — did not sign a Tripartite Pact like Axis Powers did in 1940, nor are they entirely aligned in foreign policy goals. They are, however, each increasingly expanding cultural, economic, and military footprints around the world with a goal of decreasing American influence and destroying its world order.

Russian President Vladimir Putin made clear his disdain for America’s unipolar rule, as well as his desire to make the world multipolar. But would-be dominant Russia has barely managed to take 20 percent of neighboring Ukraine’s landmass, and its economy, while resilient, is not one which can challenge the U.S.

The group’s core is China. While its economy is significantly smaller than America’s, it has grown rapidly during the past fifty years and is currently 10 times bigger than Russia’s. China is making inroads with American allies in ways Russia never could; it is Germany’s largest trading partner, and its Belt-and-Road initiative — which seeks to recreate the ancient Silk Road by strengthening trade across Eurasia — cuts directly through NATO territory.

The politics

American reactions to the growing threat have been somewhat divided along party lines, though the divide is not black-and-white.

Republicans are generally more critical of China and regard Russia as less threatening — in line with what Americans think. Former Trump administration official Elbridge Colby said Russia is “not as much a threat as China.” The pro-Trump America First Policy Institute released a book which defines the greater onus as pushing back on China rather than on focusing on Russia.

Democrats, while not necessarily pro-China, see Russia as the greater threat. President Joe Biden has linked the four countries in a battle between “democracy and autocracy” and said Putin “cannot remain in power.” He has not voiced similar sentiment regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping. Since Russia launched its offensive against Ukraine, Democrats are extremely hawkish about pushing back against Putin’s regime.

While Democrats and Republicans agree the U.S. faces major threats abroad, a declining number of Americans believe an active role in world affairs should continue. Republicans, who are historically strong advocates for American global dominance, are divided on the issue, with a slim majority of 53-47 percent still supporting the idea.

Beyond the headlines

China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are expanding their footprints in alarming ways. Aside from expansion into Eurasia via the Belt-and-Road initiative, China is investing heavily in Africa — from building roads to buying ports. The Chinese invested so much money and extended so many one-sided loans that some call it a new form of colonization.

Russia has been active not just in Ukraine. Russia-backed forces increased their presence in Niger, after U.S. forces were recently evicted. Russia also deployed its private military company, Wagner Group, to assist regimes in Libya, Sudan, and Central African Republic. And Russians signed mining agreements to exploit Africa's rich natural resources in Sudan and Central African Republic.

Most recently, Russia sent warships to Cuba in a broader effort to reassert global military reach and showcase its naval capabilities.

Meanwhile, the West is contending with Iran. Its powerful Middle East “octopus” is asserting an Islamist blockade in the region. Hezbollah, Hamas, the Syrian government, and Iraqi militias all get funding from Tehran and, as American regional activity diminishes, Iran is prepared to fill the gap.

Then there’s North Korea. Frequently derided as a joke, the country spent the last decade significantly improving its missile capacities. It recently announced it would send troops to occupied areas of Ukraine — the first time North Korean troops have ever entered a European combat zone.

Why it matters

Americans under age 35 haven’t experienced a world wherein America wasn’t the undisputed world power. Changes will affect all Americans, from the price of gas and commodities to the potential for more wars.

As Americans grow weary of being a military presence around the world, a diminished U.S. presence inevitably means another power will fill the void. Westerners must ask themselves: Will the world be safer and more prosperous if dominated by Russia and China?