The Biden administration thinks this is going well. They point to the substantial increases in Japan’s military spending; the signature of the Aukus treaty between the Australia, the UK and the US; the growing closeness of the relationship between Washington and Delhi; the strengthening of the Quad — linking America, India, Japan and Australia; and the Philippines’ decision to allow the US enhanced access to bases near Taiwan. As one US official says with quiet satisfaction: “We’ve been putting a lot of points on the board.”
At the same time, the Americans are trying to play down fears that they are seeking to hobble the Chinese economy. The deep economic links between the US and China are one obvious way in which the current rivalries differ from the cold war.
Nonetheless, preparations for conflict continue apace on both sides. In this militarised rivalry, one side’s deterrence is another side’s
