A Game of Giants: The Future of Sino-Us Relations (World IN REVIEW‪)‬

The end of the Cold War brought a profound restructuring in the international system of power; no longer driven by the constraints of a bipolar world, alliances between states became fluid and pragmatic. This trend was reinforced after September 11, 2001. Traditional US alliances, such as those with France and Germany, saw fractures due to the US War on Terror and War in Iraq, while non-traditional alliances, such as those with Pakistan and China, witnessed breakthroughs. This shift in patterns of global alignments has caused a reevaluation of the relationship between the United States and China. In the aftermath of September 11, a newly strengthened partnership, due to increased cooperation on issues of international security between the two countries, was welcomed. However, three years later, this friendship does not seem to be as strong as it initially was. Despite decreasing cooperation, outright antagonism is not what the relations have become. Yet, while China accepts the status quo on the hegemonic power of the United States and seeks to maintain constructive relations, it seems to have become less accepting of the status of its own power.