MThe Chinese leadership can’t even blame it for the fact that their propaganda machine is taking out everything it does against the United States. The withdrawal from Afghanistan and the chaos that followed provides simply too much material. It is now comparatively easy to doubt among Washington’s partners and security customers in the Indo-Pacific whether the US can really be trusted when the worst comes.

Since the major Sino-US conflict is taking place at least in the region, in which Beijing is pursuing a policy of aggressive expansion of power, alliances, credibility and credibility play a major role. It goes without saying that the US Vice President has now sought to clear doubts in Singapore and reaffirmed America’s ongoing commitment.

But malicious glee and offensive accusations are not the only response from Beijing. Indeed, even China is criticizing Washington precisely because it has backed down; Because it pursues “selfish” foreign policy goals. It can only mean this: the United States should not have retreated from the Hindu Kush, at least not so. Why? Beyond China’s geoeconomic interests in Afghanistan, it certainly sees that a US no longer embroiled in “endless wars” in the Middle East can now focus on a real strategic conflict – one with China. .