This. While one could argue the current conflicts we're seeing are the Thucydides Trap, as the US' power wanes and China rises, this transition from quasi-unipo

This. While one could argue the current conflicts we're seeing are the Thucydides Trap, as the US' power wanes and China rises, this transition from quasi-unipolar hegemony to a multipolar and multicentric is clearly being mediated by conflict. Personally I think it's the only realistic way we could have a system of checks-and-balances. You truly need a set of superpowers fending each other off, keeping each other in line for there to be some stability, offsetting their influences.