The empire's previous BRI "alternative" of more of the same debt trap diplomacy wasn't working so it's on to more direct threats.

Wow. Old school imperialism consisting of direct threats works? Who would have thought. There are those who have a bit too rosy of a view of the ability of Latin America to escape the grasp of the US so soon IMO. As well as those who underestimate the US's threat globally to the B&R.

Trying to seize control or favorable treatment of key maritime passageways from this to Greenland is certainly a move to lock down ocean power and the hegemony it confers. It's part of the larger plan to contain China and now Russia. They can't use their navy on the land which is why they've long been fomenting terrorism, extremism, separatism and anti-China sentiment in west Asia as well as locking down defense treaty alliances between the US colonial military genocide outpost in Palestine and their Arab puppet states who like a lover trying to create petty jealousy and get some favors may bat their eyes and glance forlornly at China while the US is there to see it in making a few overtures but ultimately benefit from the US-led order and are in too deep, over a barrel with the west to really break free anytime soon.

The chessboard is coming together. The game-plan many have long known they'd use is in play. Russia has been cut off from Europe over the Ukraine conflict, the EU vassals have been brought to heel under NATO. Moves to seize key passageways and staging bases in the arctic as well as access to minerals to secure western industry and profits are well underway. The ring of steel, bases around China remains to hem them in. In West Asia US spread extremism and puppet states reign supreme blocking the route of trade to Africa and Europe over land. Next steps are start a hot proxy war with China over Taiwan, use it to slap massive sanctions and decoupling measures that force companies to retreat, to rally Euro-liberal and so on to decouple much more harshly than the US from China to inflict a painful and they hope fatal blow. To cut off the ability of African nations, Latin American nations, etc to supply China with raw minerals and other resources via sanctions. And to do all this with dollar hegemony, with control of SWIFT because BRICS still doesn't dare upset the US yet over this.

Things are warming up. These are interesting times. Either the empire's plan falls short or flat and their doom is all but ensured in the next 5-10 years or they buy time and inflict pain on the Chinese people and indeed the proletariat globally.

This feels like Panama attempting to buy itself a couple of years of avoiding US retaliation? The waterway contract had been upheld (though not renewed) and the bridge is still being constructed. They get to say they're abiding by US wishes by doing nothing and the US gets to say they are projecting power without spending as much money or time. In a couple of years there may be other BRI initiatives (Panama changes mind due to geopolitical constraints/new administration comes to power etc) or the surrounding countries by that time have alternative pathways for BRI either developed or contracted to do so?

/edit: spelling/grammar/clarity

Holy fuck did Rubio actually call upon the "must remain neutral" line while we are in the midst of the Russian SMO that is predicated on Ukrainian violating the mutual understanding of Ukrainian neutrality?! The fucking gall

Coward, comprador, or hoping to stave off destruction until they can find an alternative?

Smart move tbh, it’s not like China is going to help if shit hits the fan