The U.S. is in a state of prolonged imperial decline. The joint statement makes sense to me. Russia’s economy and population have declined. They perceive com

The U.S. is in a state of prolonged imperial decline. The joint statement makes sense to me. Russia’s economy and population have declined. They perceive competition with NATO. China is clearly on the rise and they wish to take control of Taiwan. That’s the last remaining humiliation from the 1800s and early 1900s. NATO does not want to send troops to Ukraine and I begin to believe that the U.S. will not fight for Taiwan. Unity between Russia and China will make NATO and the U.S. much more cautious when confronting the Ukraine crisis and the issue of Taiwan.