I guess this is called "diplomacy". Eg another word for ensuring control levers on strategical geopolitical targets. It's probably safe to say every G20 country

I guess this is called "diplomacy". Eg another word for ensuring control levers on strategical geopolitical targets. It's probably safe to say every G20 country is doing similar things in various parts of the world that is of some interest to them. It would be naive to think this is a specificity of the US, it's just what you do when you can, because why wouldn't you. There's a video channel doing interviews of various serious people quite centered on geopolitical analysis which may provide some insight of some of the stakes (mostly energy, primary resources) but it's in french/about france ("thinkerview").