For President Xi Jinping, an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine brings many opportunities and one major threat: China would suddenly become the main focus of the US military.

The world has witnessed the deterioration of the rules-based international order that emerged at the end of World War II after the hegemonic power, the United States, decided to enforce the law of the jungle.

The age of empires seemed to be a thing of the past. But now there are signs that some world leaders hanker after imperial power and glory.