China made a decision that it has more to gain from being Russia's supplier and friend then it doesn't from working within the international community. They also feel that by backing Russia they can carve out their supporters and markets. As the war rages between Ukraine and Russia, China finds itself in a position to sell more and foster differences in world alliance. However, they are finding that there is a longer-tail reaction to their decisions that will reverberate for some time.
First, remember that Russia moved into Ukraine. While I understand some of the justification presented, they also did not calculate that Ukraine would fight back and that people would help in that defense. It would be a completely different reason if Ukraine attacked Russia. In a reverse situation I do not believe the world would support that either (This appears to be a justified defense by the Ukrainians. Unless someone presents something different I would support them. Living by our principles and being an example for the world.)
At the end of the day its about aggression and the inability to determine one's own path. Something most Americans believe in. That is why you have most people supporting helping Ukraine. There are some who don't want to support Ukraine anymore (I can understand some of the arguments but I think they need like 4 more months of support to settle out in favor of Ukraine {As defined only by this moment. Ask me tomorrow if the situation changes.}. I don't understand what all the other arguments might be, but the war is becoming a fundamentally defined position of a potential New Cold War. I feel very bad for the Ukrainians. I have empathy over their plight and the plight of those struggling against much larger adversaries. ).
China's support for Russia indicates that they are in many ways hoping the war will swing back in favor of their interests and in turn make Russia more dependent. China gets market and oil. Russia gets to be propped up and protected. Of course, the Russian citizens and Ukrainian citizens lose much in the process. No mater if Ukraine or Russia ultimately wins, I suspect the area will not be the same for a long long time.
We see that now with NATO member starting to align their borders. Read NATO is racing to arm its Russian borders. Can it find the weapons?
A few things to think about as a nation (Just ideas so feel free to toss them anytime.).
1.) Sew up diplomatic ties and settle non essential conflicts and issues with other nations (Don't let small things be exploitable by international actors.).
2.) Build up innovation and supply lines to ensure superiority and supplying of allies. We got work to do in our innovative capacity and we could get there. Missing the human capital piece but the rest seems to be coming (Waiting on politicians....zzzz.....zzzzz...... 😴)
3.) Draw up contingency plans and encourage NATO to do the same. Get resources where they need to move and ensure nations are coordinated. Different nations have different strengths. Perhaps its time to start talking more directly about some of the other emerging interests (i.e. China influence and supplying of Russia with weapons. )
4.) Find a national plan around innovation/technology/science, infrastructure/energy/resource allocation, and human capital/education/training/opportunity/best & brightest.
5.) Resolve political issues to ensure that we are all focused on national health and the essential values of democracy (i.e. the universal democracy).
What we often find in such situations is that we think about such issues on a global scale and then don't realize how we are going to move from A to M. That is an issue if we are struggling with accepting minorities in our hometowns and/or blocking them from engaging in full American life. It is time Americans and "Americans" become the enlightened beefy AMERICANS (....probably a dumb idea....discard quickly....I got the wrong type of name. Even as a light R. 🤷).
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