Still, one idea seems to link the disparate events that have defined the breakdown of the post-World War II and post-Cold War international order in recent years: that whatever new order emerges would be built around spheres of influence. Seeking to avoid direct confrontation, the US, China and Russia are again turning to spheres of influence. A second, even more fundamental obstacle to the emergence of exclusive spheres of influence lies in the ambitions of today’s major powers themselves. Rather than a neat division of influence in Asia, the more likely outcome is a complex mix of competition and accommodation. The third Gulf War also highlights the inoperative nature of spheres of influence in a highly contested region where states hedge their bets to survive.

Source: Taipei Times March 18, 2026 17:31 UTC