Why Iran war is the surest sign that the US is in decline

AdvertisementUS, Israel war on IranChinaDiplomacyWhy Iran war is the surest sign that the US is in decline

In going from international rule-maker to ‘predatory hegemon’, the US is risking it all, Chinese state media and observers warn

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Alyssa ChenPublished: 11:00pm, 23 Apr 2026Updated: 12:18am, 24 Apr 2026As key allies turn away and war costs soar, the US military campaign against Iran is spurring a growing consensus among Chinese observers and state media – that Washington’s unrivalled global dominance is crumbling.

Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily issued a sharp critique on Thursday, warning that the United States’ shift from an “international rule-builder” to a “predatory hegemon” would ultimately undermine its prosperity and influence.

“In the post-Cold War era, while the undercurrents of US hegemony were always present, Washington at least maintained on the surface the image of a ‘responsible actor’: sustaining alliances, providing some international public goods, and leading the creation and enforcement of global rules,” the commentary read.

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“Today, that facade has rapidly fallen away. America has devolved entirely into a ‘rule-breaker’ and ‘cooperation saboteur’, now relying on the naked ‘law of the jungle’ to maintain its dominance.”

The article was attributed to Zhong Sheng – a homonym in Chinese for “the voice of China” and a pseudonym often used to voice Beijing’s position on global affairs.

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Several Chinese analysts have expressed similar views, arguing that Washington’s reckless behaviour has alienated allies, weakened its credibility and eroded US influence on the global stage.

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