Agreed up until: > Anything Russia does to other states has got absolutely nothing to do with it. This is a major change in the global status quo (given that

Agreed up until: > Anything Russia does to other states has got absolutely nothing to do with it. This is a major change in the global status quo (given that China is closely aligned with Russia now). I disagree with your parent comment on "unless Russia is humiliated". It is yet unclear either way would increase China's appetite for Taiwan. If Russia is defeated, China may find it is necessary to reunite with Taiwan to maintain its geographical security given Russia would no longer be able to support / project support for China's military move in the future. If Russia wins, China may find it is a strategical weak point for U.S. allied forces and it is a good time to reunite with Taiwan given higher nationalism. Again, it is yet unclear. One thing certain though: the uncertainty increased substantially following Russia's war on Ukraine.