World HeavyWeight Contenders

The world's superpower nation has left the stage. Not exactly abandoned its position on that stage, but more or less thrown up its collective hands in resignation. Still there, but appearing less and less able to cope with and manage the events and disasters that keep popping up, often where they're least expected. A calm, measured and confident approach to solving the world's ills would best exemplify the qualities of a world-leading superpower, instilling confidence in those who depend on its even-handed wisdom.

Even-handed wisdom? Isn't that a bit absurd. The appearance of such is the thing, of course.

But that in and of itself is simply not possible. There is no such thing as neutrality in a leading country's diplomatic and political stances because there are allies and there are always those who present as malcontented enemies, and then again there are those who are obvious contenders for super-power status, believing themselves to be next in line to catch the faded bouquet from an America that is over-fatigued and over-extended in its mission.

Some of the malcontents believe that they should qualify, in their opinion, to be welcomed on the world stage as great movers-and-shakers, whose actions and wise judgements influence world affairs and give them the right to exert control over international situations and be considered great world powers, even if they behave in a manner that is coercive and threatening in the extreme. The United States, in its mandate, did all of that and more, of course, with a diplomatic flourish.

Iran and North Korea believe they have what it takes to emulate the United States. While they are delusional in that belief there are always contenders in the background coming into the finishing stretch, flexing their political and diplomatic muscles to edge aside the United States. After all, when the most powerful country in the world elects by common consent a man unwilling to bully even in the cause of achieving a moderate balance of security within the international community, prestige, trust and respect all fall by the wayside.

In steps more overt bullies. There is Russia, for example, under Vladimir Putin, exercising the autocratic authority Russians value, using its military muscle where it feels it must, and its badgering techniques against former Soviet satellite states. It has swaggered onto the Middle East stage at a time of chaotic unrest, choosing to champion the most egregiously corrupt and vicious regimes in the geography, in support of their belligerence and defiance of human rights; Russia is quite complacent with might is right and hugely destructive weapons being conducive to aiding one's goal.

Exit America, wandering the globe with its military and its great naval battle fleets to the Pacific. It has spent enough time, energy, lives, munitions and treasury on its futile efforts to bring civility and human rights to those regions; Iraq, Libya, Somalia and Afghanistan have exhausted its patience and its interest. And it now produces more than enough fossil fuel energy of its own to furnish itself with what it requires enabling abandonment of former allies, themselves of doubtful inclination toward peace and liberty.

Then there is China, the giant awakened from its long nightmare of devouring itself in the name of a humanity-destructive ideology. Now it seeks increasingly to devour others of its neighbours besides Tibet. It too, has elected a new 'moderate', forward-looking administration just as Iran has. Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden to politely hear out America's pique over its allies' disquiet. Japan, South Korea, the Philippines are somewhat concerned over China's increasing geopolitical belligerence.

BEIJING, CHINA - DECEMBER 04: Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shake hands with U.S Vice President Joe Biden (L) inside the Great Hall of the People on December 4, 2013 in Beijing, China.  (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

The American Defence Secretary  speaks of China's announcement of the airspace of over 600 miles long above the Japan-China disputed islands in the East China Sea as "destabilizing", particularly given that it was unilaterally imposed without so much as a polite invitation to the other adjoining nations to join in an amicable discussion respecting boundaries. Which would have been an enormous surprise given that China has been agitating for quite some time over the issue and horribly upsetting its neighbours in the process.

The United States, despite its inclination to increase trade and trust ties with the country that holds so much of its debt, still wishes to exert its political-diplomatic influence. Although losing face is not a particularly North American concept, it is one that the Obama administration should be very well familiar with by now, having lost much of it in the Middle East and East Asia, and now faltering on the cusp of a similar reaction with its Asian colleagues.

"This new model of major-country co-operation ultimately has to be based on trust, and a positive notion about the move of one another", cautioned Mr. Biden with the two world powers meeting, attempting genuinely it would seem, to overcome ideological differences of rather large dimensions. Throughout a five-hour meeting between senior Beijing and Washington officials not much of real substance appears to have been accomplished.

President Xi doubtless politely presented his administration's argument with diplomatic ease in explaining "profound and complex changes" taking place in Asia and across the globe; changes that had obviously been beyond the casual notice of Washington. "The world, as a whole, is not tranquil", President Xi said, memorably. Despite which it would benefit China and the U.S. greatly to commit to closer ties. Which would require the United States to mind its own business, needless to say.

Which Vice-President Biden took instantly to heart. Informing Chinese youngsters awaiting visitor visas at the U.S. embassy that it is America's wont to reward rather than punish its internal critics. "I hope you learn that innovation can only occur where you can breathe free, challenge the government, challenge religious leaders", said he in an avuncular manner.

And in the meanwhile, Washington spurns China's new claims to a zone that does not, they insist, exist. But just to be perfectly clear, American administration guidelines to commercial outfits overflying the area have been cautioned to respect the newly instituted airspace rules.