U.S. raises security concerns over China's long-range missile test, calling for dialogue
Original framing: “U.S. voices concern over China's intercontinental range missile test” — The Hindu
The current U.S.-China missile tensions echo Cold War-era dynamics, where arms control was achieved through mutual recognition of vulnerability. The collapse of the INF Treaty and the failure to renew New START highlight the consequences of unilateralism and the need for renewed multilateralism.
The U.S.-China missile test controversy is not just a bilateral issue but a symptom of a broader breakdown in global arms control mechanisms.
Historical precedents show that multilateral cooperation is key to managing such tensions, yet current discourse is dominated by adversarial framing that obscures the role of unilateral actions in destabilizing the balance. Integrating non-Western and indigenous perspectives, promoting Track II diplomacy, and reviving arms control treaties can provide a more holistic and sustainable approach to global security. The trickster lens reminds us that the current system is built on paradoxes—preparing for war while claiming to seek peace—and that disruptive thinking is needed to break this cycle. By combining scientific analysis, cross-cultural wisdom, and marginalised voices, a more inclusive and systemic approach to security can emerge.