American Diplomacy Doesn't Understand the World's Geopolitical Climate

The next American president is likely to have to choose between confronting China and appeasing it in the Far East. The stated desire of Chinese leaders to resolve territorial disputes peacefully effectively means that they wish to achieve a position strong enough to get their own way without having to fire a shot. Just as China's strategy depends on flying just under America's radar, advancing Chinese claims without triggering confrontation which the Middle Kingdom cannot yet win, so all the central powers generally prosper best when American diplomacy doesn't grasp the nature of the game.