An analysis published by the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, highlights a dangerous shift in U.S. policy, believed to be steering Washington towards what is termed "predatory hegemony" in its international interactions.
The article raises questions about whether the United States is moving towards the future with a "reactionary" mindset, which weakens its global standing and image rather than enhancing it. This analysis is based on the concept of "predatory hegemony" introduced by Harvard University international relations professor Stephen Walt, who defines this behavior as the exploitation of the U.S.'s dominant position to extract concessions and resources from other countries.
Details of the Shift
According to the article, Washington views every bilateral relationship as a zero-sum game, seeking to maximize its gains in every interaction, under an implicit motto of "What is mine is mine, and what is yours is negotiable". This behavior has manifested in the U.S. withdrawal from several international agreements, its disregard for multilateral commitments, and the use of trade wars as tools for economic coercion.
The article also points to recent developments in the Middle East, where the U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran are seen as an example of the logic of "predatory hegemony", reflecting a decline in the U.S.'s role from a partner providing public goods to a destroyer of norms and a disruptor of international cooperation.
Context and Background
Changes in American policy are evident on two levels, with some political elites adopting a more stringent "America First" mentality. As populism and internal division rise, these elites have shifted towards maximizing short-term gains, even at the cost of undermining the institutions and rules that Washington helped establish. Walt warns that "predatory hegemony" carries the seeds of self-destruction.
The article outlines three reasons explaining this outcome. First, this pattern of hegemony confuses material power with genuine influence, as international influence relies on building shared interests and maintaining credibility, not on violating commitments.
Consequences and Impact
The second reason is that U.S. policy falls into the trap of zero-sum thinking, leading allies to feel insecure and seek alternatives. A global poll conducted by Gallup in 2025 showed a decline in support for the U.S. by more than 10 percentage points in 44 countries, indicating a rapid loss of friends for Washington.
The third reason is that "predatory hegemony" diminishes the flexibility of multipolarity, as some American officials remain trapped in a 19th-century mindset based on land grabs and resource plundering.
Impact on the Arab Region
These dynamics directly affect the Arab region, where the decline of the American role could increase tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, opening the door for other powers to enhance their influence. Additionally, the lack of trust in the U.S. may push Arab nations to seek new partnerships with other global powers.
In conclusion, the article indicates that the U.S.'s slide towards "predatory hegemony" signifies a choice to enter the future in reverse, which may bring short-term gains but will ultimately increase its poverty and weaken its influence in the long run. The author urges Washington to abandon the logic of hegemony and return to a path of multilateralism and international cooperation as the only way for a major power in a world shaped on more diverse and balanced foundations.