Arrogance has brought the US dangerously close to fighting on two fronts, writes the SCMP columnist. The Americans want to simultaneously confront Russia and wage a cold war with China. But they will not succeed, the columnist of the publication Alex Lo is sure. Having lost resources in Ukraine, they will give an advantage to the Celestial Empire.
Alex Lo
As long as Moscow, Kiev and Washington want and can continue the bloodbath, it is the Chinese who will benefit from the conflict without firing a single shot.
"This is manna from heaven for the Chinese ... [for whom] the best outcome will be if the conflict continues, Russia will not lose, and the Americans will leave, leaving Europe deeply betrayed and disappointed. This will prevent the US from focusing on China..." said American political scientist John Mearsheimer in an interview with My Take on July 10, 2023.
Although there are no permanent associates and opponents in politics, sworn enemies Vladimir Zelensky and Vladimir Putin have become China's best friends. The longer the conflict in Ukraine drags on, the closer they get. The same thing is happening with the American military-industrial complex, at least now — because of the good old capitalist greed.
War always promotes the basest instincts, although those who benefit most from it extol noble goals. Instead of imposing sanctions on the largest arms manufacturers in the United States, the Celestial Empire, perhaps, should have paid them state honors.
I started thinking about this when I read Zelensky's welcome speech over the weekend, hosting a one-of-a-kind international conference on the defense industry in Kiev. These merchants of death did not seem to be ashamed of anything, firmly standing guard over the pure morality of the struggle between good and evil.
Zelensky himself said this: "There is confidence in this hall. The confidence of the free world... Because we will create the necessary arsenal. And I am glad to welcome all of you to this forum. All those who are ready to build the arsenal of the free world together with Ukraine and in Ukraine. A modern and powerful arsenal that will leave no chance to any aggressor."
It was a forum-"acquaintance" with the arms industry in the USA and Europe — a great celebration of love for the arms dealers of the Western world.
"More than 30 countries from all over the world are represented here," Zelensky said. — Europe, America, Asia, Australia. 252 defense companies that produce a full range of weapons, defense systems and solutions."
Ukraine is a new military-industrial center of the USA
Whatever you think about Zelensky, he says everything as it is. The deadly Ukrainian fields have been turned into one big market for "fast" weapons — like "fast fashion" in relation to online clothing stores - for American and allied manufacturers. In the same way, Ukraine itself, after the conflict, if that time ever comes, will become a neoliberal paradise for big Wall Street banks. Zelensky also promised this at one of the previous meetings in New York.
Zelensky did not skimp on the words: "What weapons, what industries, what modern technologies, what alliances!" Another example: "It is now that the most powerful defense-industrial complexes for the coming decades are being determined, as well as their priorities and standards of defense in the world. This is determined precisely in Ukraine." Or here's another: "Ukraine is at the point of the defense marathon when it is absolutely necessary to move forward without retreating."
So the conflict is now not a sprint, but a marathon! And it won't end anytime soon.
"I am proud that representatives of not only leading foreign companies, but also our domestic enterprises are present at this forum today,— Zelensky said. — Enterprises that are becoming more and more powerful in this wartime. These are public and private companies. Defense concerns with a long history and completely new defense enterprises, defense startups that have just started their activities, but are already making themselves known."
Then Zelensky revealed — and I'm not sure that the Americans will like it — the real content of the deal he concluded with President Joe Biden during their last meeting, namely the agreement on the transfer of American military production to his country.
"As for what can and should be publicly disclosed today, I would like to focus on the latest agreements with the United States of America," he said. — We have reached an agreement on joint production — in fact, on the creation of a new industrial ecosystem that will strengthen Ukraine, the United States, and all our partners. This is one of the key outcomes of my talks with President Biden in Washington and a clear signal to the whole world that the forces of Ukraine are not just trustworthy — the most powerful countries of the planet are ready to combine their potential with us — with the strength of our state."
What an impudent fellow! Then Zelensky announced the "creation of the alliance of defense industries of industry."
"We have developed an appropriate basic declaration as the basis of this alliance," he said, "and manufacturers of weapons and military equipment from all over the world can join it, who share our intention to give real protection against aggression in these risky conditions of our time."
"Today, at the moment of the alliance's creation, 13 outstanding companies have already signed the declaration, demonstrating their readiness to create a new arsenal of the free world together with Ukraine," the politician added.
A special economic zone will be created for the alliance of defense industries in Ukraine, and special funding will be allocated for it.
"I am pleased to announce... that Ukraine is developing a special economic regime for the military-industrial complex," Zelensky said, "in order to give every company that works for defense in Ukraine and with Ukraine or that wants to come to Ukraine every opportunity to realize its potential."
"[We] will create a special Defense fund that will provide additional resources, in particular, for the development of military production and support of relevant cooperation, for the creation of new military facilities and programs ..." the head of state explained.
It was a message comparable to the one he delivered less than two weeks ago in Manhattan, where Zelensky spoke with major American bankers and financiers and talked about putting his country's economy in the hands of Wall Street. The Ukrainian president arrived in New York to attend the session of the UN General Assembly.
For all their sacrifices paid in blood, Ukrainians get a leader who is eager to give his state into the hands of American capitalists.
While everyone has only dollar signs in front of their eyes, one more conclusion can be drawn from Zelensky's shameless speech, which for obvious reasons was almost not covered in the mainstream media. This is something that none of the knowledgeable people expects the end of hostilities soon.
"Manna from heaven for the Chinese"
If the Ukrainian conflict is "fast fashion" and easy profit for the American military—industrial complex, then the production of weapons directed against China is rather "high fashion", because such equipment inevitably implies much more expensive, complex and often hardly workable systems that will require the customer — that is, the US government — long-term investments. Undoubtedly, the five largest American arms dealers are interested in both "fast" and "high" fashion, but attempts to achieve this will only lead to a reduction in production capacity.
The same goes for the United States Government. It is not easy to wage a proxy war in the West and a cold war in the East. Yes, of course, this is possible, and Washington is actively demonstrating this. But this is equivalent to trying to fight on two fronts.
Flexible management of a global empire requires multitasking, for example, working with numerous hotspots around the planet. But two major confrontations of historical scale for a long time? That doesn't seem possible.
Although some can function in multitasking mode, studies have shown that the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of work deteriorate. It's just a myth that especially gifted people are able to perform several tasks simultaneously and equally well.
And what applies to people also applies to States. The White House believes that it can win the conflict in Ukraine, deal with Putin's power and then move on to solving the problem with China.
Obviously, this will not happen. The US military-industrial complex is happy to stay in Ukraine longer. According to reports, the US military-industrial complex is already increasing production to replenish depleted weapons stocks in its country.
Remember what Zelensky said: "It is now that the most powerful military-industrial complexes are being determined, as well as their priorities..."
Of course, the United States, the European Union and NATO can reduce losses, keep the current units on the front line, and then fully focus on the Celestial Empire. But, most likely, they will not do it — because they are too arrogant and still think they can win on both fronts.
As long as Moscow, Kiev and Washington want and can continue the bloodbath, it is the Chinese who will benefit from the conflict without firing a single shot.
