The recent military parade in Beijing, coinciding with a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), highlights a significant shift in global power dynamics. Observers note that the influence of Western alliances is waning, while authoritarian regimes are gaining traction. Yaroslav Trofimov of the Wall Street Journal remarked that the sight of China's Xi Jinping alongside leaders from Russia and North Korea, as intercontinental ballistic missiles paraded through Tiananmen Square, signifies a new chapter in the reconfiguration of international relations.

The current U.S. leadership, characterized by impulsive and often contradictory actions, contrasts sharply with the emerging unity among China, Russia, and North Korea. Countries that were once considered U.S. allies, such as India, Brazil, Vietnam, and South Africa, are increasingly drawn to China's approach, which offers stability and a less confrontational stance compared to the punitive tariffs and rhetoric from former President Donald Trump. Fareed Zakaria described this situation on CNN as "the greatest own goal in modern U.S. foreign policy."

Many NATO allies have faced challenges due to Trump's tariff policies, leading them to accommodate his administration in hopes of maintaining vital economic partnerships. The "America First" policy has sparked similar populist movements in Europe. In the UK, Nigel Farage's Reform UK party is currently leading the Labour Party in polls by 11 points, resonating with voters frustrated by the current government and the establishment's stance on issues like immigration and multiculturalism.

In France, political instability continues as the centrist government faces its fourth prime minister in a year, creating an environment that benefits Marine Le Pen's National Rally party. Gerard Baker noted that Le Pen's successor, Jordan Bardella, is working to reshape the party's image, distancing it from its past associations with antisemitism and extremist ideologies.

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz is grappling with rising public discontent while relying on the Social Democrats, which has allowed the far-right Alternative for Germany party to gain ground. Despite having the economic power to resist, European leaders have opted to appease the U.S. president, seeking to maintain political and economic ties with Washington. However, this strategy has led to growing frustration among the European public.

There are calls for strengthening the European political union and addressing the influence of leaders like Hungary's Viktor Orbán, who can obstruct EU military support for Ukraine. European leaders are attempting to fill the void left by Trump's approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but their efforts have yet to yield a unified response. Trump has urged NATO allies to impose secondary sanctions on nations purchasing Russian oil and gas, but his inconsistent application of sanctions has emboldened Putin.

The recent events in Anchorage showcased a moment of triumph for Putin but left the U.S. and its allies with little to show for their efforts. The situation underscores the complexities of U.S. geopolitical strategy and the shifting landscape of international relations.