With the US, China must choose constructive power over destruction

AI Summary

The dynamics of international relations reveal how historical context influences current events. The article reflects on various geopolitical crises, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Iran's role in the Middle East, demonstrating the risks of ignoring historical lessons in diplomacy.

Foreign affairs are not a series of disconnected episodes. They are a test of whether nations learn from history and act with foresight. The United States has often failed that test. It forgets that unchecked aggression leads to wider wars and that removing governments without building new authority invites chaos. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Iran’s destabilising role in the Middle East and the collapse of Libya and Afghanistan all testify to what happens when those lessons are ignored. China,...