When Russia decided to stop letting the imperial hegemon attack it (and those in its cultural diaspora) without consequence, this represented the moment the strength of American power got tested. Even two decades into the process of terminal decline of U.S. influence—a process that started with Washington’s self-destructive invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq—it was still a serious question as to whether a country could strike back at the hegemon, and then come out of the fight in a better position. That’s the argument the social pacifists, who’ve denounced Russia’s special military operation out of political expediency, have used to justify their opposition towards substantially defying U.S. hegemony: Washington is supposedly too strong to be able to lose an international battle, so Russia shouldn’t have entered into this one. The events from the last year and a half have vindicated Russia’s decision; Russia (and the wider pro-Chinese geopolitical bloc) hasn’t experienced a net loss from the war, the U.S. bloc has.
Very good appreciation. Greetings from Nicaragua.