Chapter 1394 Entering the Stage of the Great Power Game

: These 4,000 words were coded out early this morning. I was supposed to post them immediately, but I fell asleep right away. At around 8:00 p.m., the third chapter of the Somali side story will be published on the gorgeous WeChat official account .

In this natural world, human beings are not as strong as cattle, as fast as horses, and as powerful as eagles. The reason why they can stand at the top of the food chain and take the lead in the competition of species depends on the team's superior military force that cooperates with each other.

However, the so-called group advantage does not refer to all human beings.

The international system is a sinister and cruel arena. To survive in this system, any country has no choice but to compete with each other for power. Even countries that are content to live in peace will be accused of participating A ruthless competition for power.

This is also Cai Ruichen's trip to Russia. Even if the two sides did not express a common view on the international situation or discuss international issues, the international community will naturally impose the two sides on the systemic issues in the international field.

There is no remedy for this, and it is the normal practice of the human mind.

The values ​​and thinking patterns brought about by this international social system come from ruthless system competition.

When a country is threatened by another country, there is no higher authority for them to turn to, and there are no so-called night watchmen in the international system.

And countries can never be sure that other countries are not hostile to them, so any country must be prepared to deal with danger from all sides.

The ideal outcome is to become the hegemonic power in the system, because with so many powers, its survival status is almost guaranteed.

On the contrary, weakness will only lead to trouble, because strong countries will often plunder and take advantage of weak countries, just like China's dark century from 1840 to 1949, when it was weak and torn apart, and was bullied by foreign powers.

Before the end of the Cold War, no country was able to achieve global hegemony. The main reason was that it was difficult for the major powers at that time to project power across large areas of water such as the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Even the United States during the Cold War could not dominate the world, and even now, the United States cannot have the right to dominate the world.

However, countries can gain regional hegemony, as the United States has done in the Western Hemisphere, so that the ultimate goal of any great power is to dominate its region, ensuring that another part of the world does not become a hegemonic power again.

In the past, the United States tried its best to prevent the German Empire, Nazi Germany, Japan from dominating Asia, and the Soviet Union from dominating Europe.

But now,

Huaxia continues to rise with a strong economic development speed, and will continue to maintain a remarkable economic growth scale in the next ten years. Will seek regional hegemony, because dominance is the best guarantee of survival.

The same is true for the Iraqi-Syrian Federation, and regional hegemony is also indispensable. Simply put, China dominates Asia, and Cai Ruichen's goal is to dominate the Middle East and even Africa.

By the same token, if Russia wants to develop safely and not become a marginal country in the global political system, it also needs better economic development and thus a stronger military.

There is no doubt about this. As long as Russia and NATO are still on the opposite side, and as long as there is still interest friction between Russia and NATO, then this kind of situation cannot be avoided.

The rise of a great power is guaranteed to be similar to the strategic interests of the United States, and to prevent any major power from intervening in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere. Then, whether it is the Iraq-Syria Federation or China, its core strategic interest is to completely drive the power of the United States out of Asia. The Middle East is also part of Asia.

Cai Ruichen has never naively thought that because he is a Chinese, the big boss will trust him unconditionally. This kind of thinking is naive and naive. If it is not necessary to face the same core interests in the future, the two sides will rarely reach the point where they are today .

Of course, this is also because the United States will do its best to prevent any country from gaining regional hegemony, because the United States cannot tolerate the existence of rival competitors on the world stage.

The result will inevitably be competition between rising powers and great powers. If the security competition can be maintained, it will definitely be convinced by mankind. Once competition turns into war, it will be the greatest tragedy of mankind.

The competition of interests between big countries has never been benevolent and clean. It is full of dirty means and deals. Any big country will always follow realism, not paying attention to means and methods, and focusing on getting the maximum benefit. Target.

On this point, Cai Ruichen did not learn the golden mean of Chinese civilization and the way of Confucius and Mencius, but learned the most direct and simplest realistic values ​​of the Western world.

It's like the United States, which has always acted on realism, but has often claimed to be driven by higher moral goals than considerations of the balance of power.

Western thinking, which pays attention to realism, also binds itself to morality, and at the same time, it also portrays opponents as evil or immoral alternatives.

This behavior pattern is particularly evident in the United States. On the world stage, the United States often behaves rudely, but it always claims that its actions are moral and correct, and any actions of its opponents are barbaric and evil. .

American elites often talk about international affairs and diplomacy in idealistic terms, but act in a realistic way. To put it simply, they often use whatever means to achieve their goals.

On this point, Cai Ruichen has no better choice, because survival is the highest goal, and this is exactly what Cai Ruichen has always felt deeply for human beings.

From the perspective of human history, there has never been a time when the river is clean and the sea is peaceful, and the singing and dancing are peaceful, and even if there is, it is often short-lived.

In the nearly thirty years since the end of the Cold War, the United States has waged seven wars.

For many human beings, peace is really an extravagant hope. The long process of establishing peace may disappear overnight.

In fact, Cai Ruichen has always believed that there is no such thing as a superpower that can truly rise peacefully in this world. This is also the sad part of the global political system.

If the Iraqi-Syrian Federation wants to dominate the Middle East and become the hegemony in the Middle East, the United States will be the first to refuse, and Cai Ruichen has no time to take the path of peaceful rise.

The rapid rise will avoid facing the high-pressure policy of the United States, especially in the sensitive region of the Middle East. The probability of the United States sending troops exceeds 95%.

After the end of the Israeli war, Cai Ruichen determined the development goals for the next stage, and at the same time determined the plan for the next war. The Iraqi-Syrian Federation will inevitably rise, even if a war breaks out with the United States, it will not hesitate.

The attitude of the United States is very clear, so Cai Ruichen is naturally more clear. Instead of letting the United States find reasons and excuses to take action, Cai Ruichen chooses to do it first, learns the thinking and code of conduct of the United States, and declares war on the United States.

Having confirmed the plan to send troops to the United States, it does not mean that Cai Ruichen must have a life-and-death battle with the United States.

The current Iraqi-Syrian Federation is not yet suitable for a large-scale war with the United States. If possible, Cai Ruichen hopes that the two sides will just break out in a proxy war.

And in this war, Cai Ruichen also needs to find an opportunity to end the war quickly.

The scale and intensity of war with the United States need to be well controlled, so Cai Ruichen embarked on the road to Russia.

Immediately after the welcome ceremony, the two sides held a bilateral high-level discussion meeting, discussing a number of cooperation plans that had preliminary exchange results.

Most of these cooperation plans are cooperation in fields related to the economy of both parties.

At the same time, the two sides also entered into a bilateral tourism agreement, adopting a visa-free policy for citizens of both countries to travel abroad.

After the three-hour high-level discussion, after the lunch break, Cai Ruichen also formally had a one-on-one exchange with Putin and Beijing.

There was no translator, and no third person was present. As for what topics the two discussed inside, the outside world is completely unclear.

Before the evening dinner that day, Cai Ruichen, Putin and Beijing attended the press conference together, answering questions from global reporters on the progress of cooperation between the two countries on the first day and their exchange of opinions on international topics.

At the press conference, no matter whether it was Pu, Jing or Cai Ruichen, they answered the reporters' questions with exactly the same tone.

They were all very official answers, making it impossible for the outside world to fully understand what the result of the two people's discussion was.

"Mr. Cai Ruichen, what do you think of the Iran war?"

"No matter what, war is a tragedy. I just hope that the war can end as soon as possible, so that this tragedy can end soon." Cai Ruichen replied.

Just after Cai Ruichen finished speaking, another reporter asked: "Mr. Cai Ruichen, isn't he worried that the United States will completely control Iran and then encircle the Iraqi-Syrian Federation with a comprehensive strategy?"

Cai Ruichen glanced at the nationality of the new reporter who asked the question, and then said: "Although the Iraqi-Syrian Federation loves peace, it has never been afraid of war. If the national security situation is seriously threatened, our military is confident and capable. Safety, protection of the rights and interests of federal citizens and the safety of life and property."

"Mr. Putin and Jing, what do you think of the Iran war?"

After finishing the press conference and taking a brief rest, Cai Ruichen also attended the welcome dinner at the invitation of Putin and Beijing.

At the dinner table, only Cai Ruichen sat opposite Pu and Jing.

There was no third person beside him, and Cai Ruichen was somewhat surprised by the arrangement of Pu and Jing.

"Chinese people like to talk about things at the wine table, and I am no exception." After Cai Ruichen took his seat, Pu and Jing took the lead in opening up the conversation.

When Cai Ruichen heard this, he seemed to understand and nodded. At the end of the day, in fact, neither of them had any so-called in-depth communication.

They were all just talking about things in the field of cooperation, and didn't talk about those sensitive international political topics. They just briefly explained their own opinions.

Cai Ruichen could hold his breath, depending on the situation, Pu and Jing were a little anxious.

In fact, after receiving the news that Cai Ruichen was coming to Russia three days ago, Putin and Beijing have been considering the real purpose of Cai Ruichen's trip.

Of course, it is not difficult to imagine that although Cai Ruichen came to Russia with a large number of bilateral cooperation plans, in the eyes of Putin and Beijing, there is absolutely only one real purpose of Cai Ruichen's trip, and that is the problem of Iran.

Putin and Beijing absolutely do not believe that Cai Ruichen, the supreme leader of the Iraq-Syria Federation, is willing to see an Iran completely controlled by the United States appear by his side.

After all, the side of the couch allows others to sleep soundly, not to mention that once Iran falls under the control of the United States, the Iraq-Syria Federation will never have peace.

An Iraqi-Syrian Federation completely surrounded by American forces, the future development prospects will become more bumpy. Putin and Beijing believe that Cai Ruichen is absolutely clear about the stakes in it.

Therefore, Putin and Beijing are also very curious about how Cai Ruichen will crack the US strategic encirclement plan.

At the same time, Pu and Jing felt a little bit like brothers and sisters to Cai Ruichen.

Picking up the wine glass, Cai Ruichen did not immediately answer Pu and Jing's words. In fact, he had no intention of talking to Pu and Jing about this question from the very beginning.

There are some things that don't need to be said at all, and he doesn't need to speak up. When the time comes, Pu and Jing will naturally take action.

"Actually, I also like the current chat atmosphere. We are just two long-lost friends who finally get together, chat and drink, and don't talk about politics." Cai Ruichen raised his glass and gently talked with Pu and Jing. He touched his wine glass and said.

After drinking vodka, Cai Ruichen enjoyed the feeling of this spirit flowing down his throat, and praised: "Good wine."

Pu and Jing also drank a glass of wine. Seeing Cai Ruichen's expression of liking, he said, "This is a good wine that I have treasured for fifteen years, and I have always been reluctant to drink it."

"It's a great honor to receive such a grand reception from Mr. Pu and Jing." Cai Ruichen said.

"Mr. Cai is really too polite. In this world, there are not many people who I can sincerely admire, and Mr. Cai is definitely the best among them." Looking at Cai Ruichen's young face, Pu and Jing said with sincere emotion .

As one of the four most powerful people in the world, those who can make Putin and Beijing say such things are indeed rare.

"But in my opinion, it's more about responsibility. It's not easy for you and me. Behind the scenery, there are a few people who can understand our difficulties." Cai Ruichen said.

"It's like Iran, isn't Mr. Cai very embarrassed now?" Putin and Beijing said tentatively.

"In my opinion, Iran's problems are not much different from Ukraine's. The strategic choices we face are the same, but I should be more relaxed than Mr. Putin and Mr. Jing, because I am more determined to realize my inner thoughts." Cai Ruichen Ruo Said pointedly.

Although they said that they would not talk about politics from the beginning, but when the two of them sat together, there was no other topic to talk about.

Once the chatterbox is opened, it will inevitably be linked to politics.

It's just that Cai Ruichen's words made Pu and Jing somewhat unable to understand, or in other words, somewhat difficult to understand thoroughly.

"Mr. Cai, you are a bit unpredictable." Pu and Jing said.

"I believe that Mr. Putin and Mr. Jing will soon know that some things need to be fought for with all their strength. In my opinion, political contests and exchange of interests are more like meaningless wrangling."

To be continued. ..