Introduction
The main distinguishing feature of American political life in recent years is the inability to consistently and effectively respond to apparent problems before they escalate into a crisis. The country, which is endowed with great potential to become a significant world power, is constantly facing numerous challenges that undermine its global influence. Even though the country attempts to maintain its power, external threats from other countries, such as China or Russia, are inevitable for the state.
Overview of International Threats
There is a threat to the U.S. coming from the different countries in 2023. The risk of a serious confrontation between the United States and Russia or China escalated. It is noted that this year, the United States of America faced three main threats. First, researchers highlight the threat of a military confrontation with Russia, China, or both countries.
Moreover, five regions at once pose a threat to the American side, a situation that could lead to the use of nuclear weapons. They are the conflict on the Korean peninsula, the clash between Israel and Iran, the war between India and Pakistan, the US-Chinese confrontation in the South China Sea, and border skirmishes involving China and India (Silver et al.).
The third threat is the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the consequences of other factors, such as climate change. The effects of climate change are already being observed, particularly in Sahel, Somalia, and Central America.
Why China Poses the Greatest Threat
Nonetheless, the most significant problems remain in the opposition between China and Russia. According to Lam and Silver (2023), “in an open-ended question allowing Americans to name which country they see as the greatest threat” (2). It is challenging to compare responses from year to year because the Center has modified the questions it asks about the most significant threats facing the U.S. (Lam and Silver). However, Americans have not always seen China as the primary threat to the country.
Economic Counterintelligence
The United States’ democratic values and economic prosperity are seriously threatened by the Chinese Communist Party and its government’s counterintelligence and economic espionage operations. The FBI’s top counterintelligence priority is to neutralize this threat. It has taken an obstructionist stance in multilateral organizations and on important transnational issues like health and climate change. It has also improved the capabilities of its armed forces, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and used these forces to advance.
All these actions have been done while using illegal means to benefit its economy (Silver et al.). They intimidated their neighbors and discredited claims to resources and territory. Concerns regarding China’s short-term intentions towards the island and the US’s involvement in cross-strait relations have grown due to the PLA’s increasing capabilities and the CPC’s long-standing interest in unification with Taiwan, an autonomous democratic island (Silver et al.). To be clear, neither the Chinese people nor those with Chinese ancestry or origin are the enemy. Programs and policies put in place by an authoritarian government pose a threat.
The Chinese government employs strategies to persuade legislators and the general public to support policies more advantageous to China. According to Cox (2022), “enhancing the role of the state, society, and the economy,” “limiting the free flow of capital,” and “decoupling the technological fields of the future” are the priorities of the government (3). Simultaneously, the Chinese government is utilizing blatant cyberattacks, systematic intellectual property theft, and predatory lending and business practices in its quest to become the world’s greatest superpower.
China is attempting to influence the international system and advance its values by designating Chinese delegates to international organizations that establish technical standards. It undercuts efficient governance, disadvantages U.S. businesses, and jeopardizes many of America’s fundamental values, such as the free flow of information and data privacy.
Trade Wars
The goal of the U.S. government is to surpass China in influencing the world economy and protect American companies and employees from an increasing and emerging array of practices that could endanger national security. Nonetheless, the United States gains from its annual trade with China, which amounts to over $750 billion and is the country’s third-largest export market (Cox). According to the source, exports sustain more than 750,000 jobs in large and small American industries (Cox). Hence, establishing a tight connection with China is also beneficial.
With its efforts, China is targeting businesses, educational institutions, researchers, lawmakers, and the general public, and the entire society will need to respond. China’s economy is growing in size and influence. Its willingness to use non-market trading and investment methods puts pressure on the U.S. to defend its allies and partners as well as its businesses and workers (Silver et al.). Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to better comprehend and address this threat.
Alliance with Russia
The other point is that China has established more contact with the other opponent – Russia. Beijing felt increasingly uncomfortable giving Russia substantial support for its invasion of Ukraine, but it nevertheless proceeded to “deepen” its ties with Moscow (Cave). The intelligence community notes that Russian troops are unlikely to make significant territorial gains this year and believes President Vladimir Putin of Russia is concentrating on more modest military goals (Cave). Putin is thought to have determined that, even if it takes years, extending the conflict might be the best option to eventually secure Russia’s strategic interests in Ukraine (Cave). Hence, by involving another superpower’s affairs, the U.S. faces far more threats than at any other time.
Nuclear Threat
Finally, there is an issue of the country’s atomic potential. China, the U.S., and Russia are known as the major powers in this context. However, Chinese missiles are far more sophisticated in size and force. The growth rates are incomparable with any other country in the list of nuclear powers (Associated Press).
Moreover, there are no objective reasons why China will stop the build-up of nuclear weapons. Depending on how Beijing structures its forces, by the end of the decade, it may have at least as many intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as the United States and Russia (Xia). China’s existing combat nuclear munitions include intercontinental ballistic missile launchers and six ballistic missile submarines (Associated Press). According to analysts, these submarines are equipped with new long-range ballistic missiles capable of hitting the continental United States.
Conclusion
In conclusion, American society, despite its mightiness, faces severe threats from China and Russia. Cooperation is rarely present in U.S.-China relations, which have fluctuated between confrontation, rivalry, and conflict. Suppose the U.S. refuses to make room for China as a rising power or share leadership. In that case, nationalism may push China toward conflict with the U.S. Democracy can potentially unleash assertive nationalism, and popular nationalism can escalate China’s hostility toward the United States.
Works Cited
Associated Press. “China Expanding Nuclear Arsenal Much Faster Than Predicted, US Report Says.” The Guardian. 2023. Web.
Cave, Daniel. “Ukraine. Israel. Can America Support Two Wars and Still Handle China?” The New York Times. 2023. Web.
Cox, Chelsey. “China is A Growing Threat to National Security, U.S. Companies and American Workers, U.S. Commerce Secretary Raimondo Says.” CNBC. 2022. Web.
Lam, Nam and Laura Silver. “Americans Name China As the Country Posing the Greatest Threat to The U.S.” Pew Research Center. 2023. Web.
Silver, Laura et al. “Americans Are Critical of China’s Global Role – as Well as Its Relationship with Russia.” Pew Research Center. 2023. Web.
Xia, Ming. “China Threat” or a “Peaceful Rise of China”?” The New Yok Time Archives. Web.