Staff Reports
China recently showcased its military might in a grand parade that was less about celebrating an actual historical victory and more about sending a message of intimidation, particularly aimed at the United States. As the world’s attention turned to Beijing, the event was attended by major players like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, all seemingly united by an odd fascination with the concept of immortality. The underlying theme, however, was an elaborate display meant to distract from the multitude of internal problems these aging dictators face.
Xi Jinping, China’s leader, paraded his military in a bid to present himself as the architect of a new global order, a role he feels entitled to as he looks to extend China’s influence across the globe. Ironically, the spectacle celebrated what it claimed was China’s victory over Japan in World War II—despite historical sufficiency indicating otherwise. The real heroes of that conflict were the Chinese citizens who fought valiantly, while the Communist Party basked in the aftermath like an unwelcome guest at a party they didn’t help organize.
This display of military prowess isn’t just a method of flexing for the cameras. It’s a calculated maneuver designed to intimidate the United States, especially against the backdrop of ongoing tariff threats from the Trump administration. The weaponry on parade included the much-discussed nuclear triad, a clear effort to remind both domestic and international audiences that China retains formidable military capabilities, despite its troubling economic slump and looming demographic challenges. It’s like a kid bragging about video game prowess, all while struggling with basic arithmetic.
On the flip side, it’s clear that these displays stem from deep-seated insecurity. Countries like China, Russia, and North Korea face significant internal pressures: economic malaise, high unemployment, and in Putin’s case, an unwinnable war in Ukraine, not to mention significant popularity issues at home. As each of them tries to project strength, they also quietly battle the reality of their vulnerabilities. The joke is that the parades intended to show off military grandeur may simply illustrate their desperation to maintain control and project an image of unity in the face of adversity.
So where does this leave the United States? Amidst these foreign threats, conservative thinkers advocate for unleashing the American economic machine to counter this growing global menace. It’s through robust trade partnerships, deregulation, and bolstering innovation that America can ensure its position as a leader on the world stage. Unlike the aging dictators who rely on military parades to assert themselves, the strength of the American ethos lies in its unyielding belief in freedom, entrepreneurship, and progress. The focus should be on promoting these values and ensuring that nations like China cannot finesse their way into global leadership through fear tactics and displays of military might. Instead, America must double down on its principles and remind these major players that while they may talk of immortality, the vitality and resilience of the American spirit will always prevail.
