An unlikely but powerful trio of nations—India, China, and Russia—has set aside historical differences to unite for a common cause: challenging the US-led global order. This stunning alignment was put on dramatic display at the recent SCO summit, where their show of unity was interpreted as a direct and formidable challenge to American supremacy on the world stage.
This gathering was far more than symbolic, according to analyst Van Jones. He warned that the sight of Modi, Xi, and Putin together represents a “historically big deal” and should deeply concern American policymakers. He sees this as a clear, coordinated strategy to move the world away from a unipolar system dominated by the US and toward a multipolar one with multiple centers of power.
The glue holding this diverse coalition together is a shared and profound dissatisfaction with American international conduct. Washington’s use of tariffs and economic sanctions as coercive instruments has created a powerful backlash, providing the perfect catalyst for these nations to join forces. Their rebellion is rooted in the belief that the current global system unfairly benefits the United States at their expense.
As a result of this strategic convergence, the US finds itself in a difficult and isolated position. Van Jones concluded that America has been strategically outplayed and now faces a world where “it’s everybody against us.” This shift from global leader to the target of a united opposition represents a dangerous and unfavorable outcome for the United States.