"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting." – Sun Tzu

As the 21st century develops the changes in the political map of the world are quite noticeable. The era of preeminence of the USA is gradually fading, which is replaced gradually by a much more diverse and a diverse multipolar world. This so-called power transition, which is characterized by China’s emergence, the return of Russia, as well as India and Brazil, is transforming the nature of interstate relations.

The United States has dominated the International System for decades, or at least since the end of the Second World War, in a more or less hegemonic way. That is something that, despite the past few years suggesting, has been pointing to a decline of this unipolar moment. The United States is no longer a monopole and other nations are getting aggressive to overpower America and don’t accept it as the sole domination in the world system.

China’s emergence is perhaps the biggest driver of this change. As a country with increasing economic and military power, especially through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – it is tightening its grip over Asia, Africa and other parts of the world. Therefore, it is not only the major economic giant but also the serious geopolitical competitor. To this end, the areas such as the South China Sea are emerging as hot zones where China is confrontationally probing the boundaries of U. S. power dominance in Asia.

On the other hand, since Vladimir Putin’s administration, Russia has come out to cement its position as a world powerhouse. From the seizure of Crimea to entanglement in Syria, Russia is undermining the West in its ‘near abroad’ and further afield. There is no doubt that presently, its actions have brought back memories of the Cold War that defines today’s great power competition.

Local heavyweights such as India and Brazil are also coming to the fore. India with a fast-growing economy and an emerging military power and with its geographical location, plays a central role in the Indo-Pacific region. Brazil, however, remains an influential actor in Latin America as well as in international discussions of the environment and despite its internal problems.

Although this shift to a multipolar world is in process, it can be viewed as a process fraught with certain challenges. After the decline of the American leadership, the international system has become more polyarchic and uncertain. It is also a time when old friendships are being strained and new friendships are being created. Take for example the European Union which is facing internal complications and which is at the same time seeking to break from the domination by United States.

Also, the surge in populism and nationalism in various countries has made the international relation a more challenging affair. National, rather than global, self-interest is a new trend in international relations which makes the world more antagonistic than collaborative. An international organization that was once a landmark of effective international cooperation becomes increasingly searched for the role in the new world.

In this evolving global landscape, the question remains: Is it possible for the United States to grasp new realities of its role in the international relations, or rather, will the country stick to its set course and deepen the confrontation? The answer is in how the U. S. gets into relations with emergent powers and whether it will be able to adapt in a world where it no longer has primacy.

Finally, the US decline implies the emergence of a new multipolar world in the international system. Altogether, this shift has its advantages, as well as its threats, where extending international collaboration may give way to increased international competition. According to Sun Tzu, it is precisely in avoidance of this path that the skill of international relations is hidden and lies in our inability to refuse to walk this path. This paper will discuss how and in what ways the actions of the U. S and other super powers of the world will define international relations for the future.

Nayyar Abbas is a BS student of international relations at National Defense University Islamabad.