Political leaders, I believe have big egos [narcissistic, self absorbed].
And if one is a political leader is in charge of a powerful nation. They get to play the ultimate game of strategic power and national self enrichment.
And depending on the government of that powerful nation; the political leaders has to manipulate that nation’s populace so that they are willing to fight and die for that nation’s political leaders goals. And for a powerful nation’s leaders it is to have the world’s recognition of that power.
Today, I believe, it is obvious that the USA is the #1 super power with China & Russia as also rans. And China & Russia will ultimately decline due to demographic issues. But not soon enough for our leaders. Russia became the first target. Expansion of NATO to rub the Russians nose of their powerless ability to stop that expansion. There must have been gleeful laughter at the Russian military adventure into Ukraine. We could bleed & accelerate that nation’s decline with supplying a surrogate with weapons and munitions.
Now it appear Washington wishes to move on to confronting China. It is unclear to me whether our leaders are bored with the Ukraine gambit or have made the calculation that Russia is so weaken that they could win a further aggression into NATO territory.
I do know China is considered the #1 threat to the USA. Plenty of articles about that claim.
I suppose our leaders hope Xi will attempt a Taiwan adventure so a forceful US response will be justified. Otherwise the economic war will continue with the US economically attacking with increased sanctions & tariffs until China breaks.
Is the game over once the US secures the #1 crown without causing a nuclear war? Doubtful. It simply opens the door for US meddling throughout the world. Iran and N Korea will likely be the next targets. The game will be less fun as the risk of nuclear war is diminished.