Упрощенная HTML-версия
Author : Yu. Raikov
Professor, Moscow State Institute (University) of International Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the Russian Federation, Doctor of Science (History);
IN RECENT YEARS, the academic and political com-
munities have been discussing the new world order (the
subject that has acquired special consequence because of
the geopolitical crisis in Ukraine) with its outlines barely
discernible through the fog of chaotic and so far incom-
prehensible changes in politics and economy. One thing
is clear, though: With each passing decade the world, in-
ternational relations and the habitual course of life are
changing increasingly.
This is how the things stand in the world. Chaos and uncertainty make it hard to move to a new
international system; the old and new forces are locked in an uncompromising struggle some-
times at the brink of another world war.
Very much as before, the new world order is born in throes, with East Asia playing one of the
key roles. China and Russia rely on the structures they have set up (SCO, BRICS, EAEC, and
CSTO) to openly challenge America's domination and its monopoly on world governance. So
far, the majority of other countries, mostly in the non-Western world including India as another
potential superpower, other BRICS members and Iran, latently support Moscow and Beijing in
their opposition.
The historical lessons of the Roman and British empires have taught us that containment can
slow down the movement toward a new world order but cannot reverse it. Dynamic and fast
economic growth made China, India and East Asia as a whole stronger than any other part of
the world; today, they need a new development paradigm.
The BRICS and East Asian countries led by China and Russia, the active core, undermine the
positions of the West by steadily increasing their impact on the processes unfolding in all corners
of the world.
The U.S. wants to know whether China is ready to defend its declared principles and aims by
force and whether it is ready, morally and materially, to wage a big war. A military confrontation
in East Asia will impress the U.S. allies; they will close ranks around it to increase America's po-
tential in a confrontation.
Russia should work hard to ensure security and stability in East Asia. Very much in line with the
basic law of international relations that speaks of global balance, Moscow is convinced that sta-
bility can be achieved if and when the interests and ambitions of the sides have been balanced
out, clarified and understood by all players. While pursuing their interests in the region the United
States and its allies should accept the fact that in the multipolar world they should take the in-
terests of other regional powers into account. The balance of power and interests in the region
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East Asia and the New World Order