The phrase “historically big deal” was used by American commentator Van Jones to describe the recent meeting of the leaders of China, Russia, and India. He warned that the powerful optics of the SCO summit signal the dawn of a “new world order” that poses a direct challenge to the United States and its allies.
The core of Jones’ concern lies in the image of Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Narendra Modi united. This picture, he argues, should alarm every American as it represents the crystallization of a powerful bloc with interests that often run counter to those of the US. The era of unquestioned American leadership appears to be fading.
This display of solidarity comes as the US is embroiled in trade disputes with nations across the globe. The tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have created a common enemy, pushing countries that were once rivals, like India and China, into a closer strategic embrace with Russia. The SCO summit showcased this new reality for the world to see.
Jones concluded with a stark assessment of America’s new place in the world. Using a geopolitical analogy, he claimed the US is now on the “bad side of the triangle,” isolated and facing a coalition of powerful states. “It’s everybody against us,” he said, emphasizing that this dramatic redrawing of the global power map is “not good for us.”