US action around the world
The US has used its military power to pursue its interests in different parts of the world.
Like many other countries, the US will do what it believes is in its best interests regardless of what the UN or the rest of the world think.
On occasion the US has ignored the UN and its decision-making procedures. For example, the US has consistently supported Israel in respect of the war in Gaza despite international condemnation of the way in which the Israeli Defence Force has prosecuted (conducted) the war in Gaza. (Source: BBC News).
However, on most occasions, the US does work within the decision-making processes of the UN Security Council, e.g. backing UN resolutions in late 2023 which reaffirmed international co-operation over Libya and Somalia.
Taiwan and the South China Sea
There has been tension between the US and China in respect of Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Although most countries in the world do not recognise Taiwan as an independent country, it has acted separately from Communist China since 1949. Today, Taiwan is a modern democracy with its own constitution. Crucially, it is also heavily supported by the US with the US pledging to support Taiwan if it were attacked.
Although Taiwan and China have strong trading links and cultural ties, a militarily stronger and more assertive China has increasingly called for Taiwan to return to mainland Chinese control. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province which has no legitimacy. In recent years, China has undertaken repeated military exercises around Taiwan which aim to put pressure on the Taiwanese government. China claims it wishes reunification peacefully but it has not ruled out reunification by military force.
Beyond Taiwan and to the south, lies the huge expanse of the South China Sea. Bordered by countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Malayasia, the South China is rich in fish in its waters and mineral deposits under it.
Conflict between China and its neighbours over the fishing and mineral resources of the South China Seas goes back many years. Again, as China has become militarily stronger and more assertive, it has increased it claims to many of the uninhabited islands in the seas. This has brought China into conflict with its neighbours and the US which does not want to see China increasing its influence in this part of the world.
One source of tension between the US and China is over a series of man-made islands China has constructed in the South China Sea. These islands, as far as the US is concerned, are in international waters and US air force planes have regularly overflown the islands to make this point. The Chinese, on the other hand, have repeatedly warned US aircraft off. With so many ships and planes in the disputed area, there are real fears of an international incident arising that could quickly escalate.
Yemen
The US has used its military power to launch retaliatory attacks against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. In response to attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea from Yemen, the US and other allied countries destroyed several militant bases. There are fears that US action may result in a widening of conflict in the Middle East.
Other global challenges
Elsewhere in the world the USA is also facing challenges to its dominant position.
- Iran continues to pursue an anti-American/western agenda by actively supporting groups which the US and the UK have classed as terrorist organisations. Concerns remain that Iran continues to seek to develop nuclear weapons despite US-led international sanctions.
- As a nuclear state, North Korea represents a direct challenge to the US. Despite long-standing US sanctions and repeated warnings about the development of its nuclear programme, North Korea continues to defy the US. Although there was a short period in 2019 when Trump was President which saw the US and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meet on the North-South Korea border, that time of cooperation has long passed. In 2024, President Biden is quite clear that any attempt by North Korea to use nuclear weapons would see the North Korea leadership wiped out.
