Editing Post-Cold War (section)

=== Asia ===
While China's rise has been commented on, it was not the only East Asian country to see a considerable change in fortune at the tail end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand have all emerged as prominent players on the world economy, with a rapid rise in standards of living and economic influence (though increasing political interference from China has negatively affected Taiwan). This has led to a rising China that until fairly recently was seen as a reliable trade partner with the United States.  This started due widespread distrust of China over its handling of [[Nurgle|Covid-19]] - exacerbated by China being the origin point of the virus. Accusations on China's cultural genocide on the Uyghurs akin to the lost generations on the Australian Aborigines also soured perceptions from the West leading calls for 'decoupling'. The results of this has been....a mixed-bag. Whilst news of Apple trying to relocate to India has been making rounds. The reality on the ground is that trade deficits has only ''increased'' after the Pandemic and FDI have recovered somewhat, suggesting that the old principle of "Money Walks Bullshit Talks" is ''very much still in play here''. Nevertheless, the opposite ironically, rings true, as Beijing has been accelerating domestic chip and microprocessor production and increasing bilateral relations with ASEAN making Beijing less dependent on Western imports in the long term. Another interesting thing was that Xi removed the term limits for the Presidency. Whether this means he is trying to pull a Putin is unknown. Although given that he still needs to play fancy with the Party Elders and put the other cliques in line suggests that his power is overrated.

Speaking of ASEAN, Southeast Asia is stuck in a increasingly awkward relationship between China and the US. The age-old challenge of balancing US security relationship with Chinese economic relationship has reared its ugly head. Whilst for now, ASEAN Centrality is providing some measure of stability, the rise of Chinese naval power in contrast to declining US capability means that in the long term, Washington's ability to commit its forces on both Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia is becoming suspect given the reality of imperial overstretch. This constant long term worry alongside neglect from the Trump administration had already has an effect to some members. Brunei, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia are already in the 'China camp'. Even 'neutrals' such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia has been warming up towards Beijing despite ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. With Jakarta, US admonishment on the 2019 West Papua riots, the AUKUS announcement, the increasing toxicity of US domestic politics and increasing hostile rhetoric on the Taiwan Strait has made Indonesian authorities to trust China more than the US. Beijing in turn, is willing to capitalise on this given Indonesia's geostrategic position and large population. Even traditional US-friendly members such as Vietnam and the Philippines have been pretty careful in playing both sides. China has also recently warmed up the ideas and principles of ASEAN, so a positive is that the region is unlikely to see a repeat of Ukraine and Russia at the very least.

Notably, India has emerged as a major player on the world scene, particularly with food exports and the service sector (particular in the wake of growing issues with China). Not to mention they are an excellent rest stop for ships taking goods to and from the EU to China, and vice versa. However, the looming effects of climate change impacting South Asia (disruption of weathering, water loss crisis, environmental refugees, heavy chemical processing pollution fucking up the Ganges etc. in a subcontinent that is roughly 70% agricultural) as well as geopolitical threats (Pakistan and China) mean that India's future situation is likely to worsen as time goes by. New Delhi is also trying to eat into China's manufacturing market, although how successful India would be is up in the air, given that competition now is ''intense'' and that India's infrastructure is either simply lacking or is a mother of clusterfucks that makes it uncompetitive. If India had successfully tapped in its manufacturing potential during the 1970s where only China was the rival, New Delhi may have a chance. Now? India has to contend with the rise of East Africa, China, South Korea, ASEAN, Bangladesh and Automation, so it will be a tough mountain to climb to stand out given all the nodes of competition.

Afghanistan on the other hand, had finally gotten rid of the United States as Kabul fell to the Taliban. Whilst the US retreat has been an absolute shitshow, this does not mean that the ruling Taliban is celebrating as decades of fighting has made these fighters [[derp|completely inexperience in handling civilian bureaucracy and governing]]. Afghanistan is now in a even more dire straits given the financial sanctions emplaced by Washington. For the Taliban who has turned from terrorist insurgents into the governors themselves, this is an existential threat. So they are trying to find anyone willing to relieve them economically. So far they only got the Chinese and Russians willing to talk to them. Although the Taliban's greatest goal is in international recognition of their rule.

Meanwhile, central Asia is...central Asia. After the US's withdrawal from the country following a 17-year occupation, Afghanistan fell back to the Taliban, leading to a diaspora of refugees from the country and a curtailing of all the liberal policies put in place there by the previous puppet government. In short, it went to shit just as you'd expect. Generally, most of the central Asian countries aren't doing much at the moment, although they are falling into the orbit of China given how unreliable Russia has been recently. There was a whole squabble between Azerbaijan and Armenia over dumbass reasons that would never be a thing to begin with if the Imperial Russian and Soviet regimes weren't literal cunts by stoking ethnic tension. Short version: Azerbaijan has oil, so the EU and America are unlikely to do shit given the whole Putin doing the funny in Ukraine.

Something alarming that some commentators have noticed is that for all Russia does wrong, their military strength and status preserved a type of "Pax Russica" in Central Asia. But since their military has dropped the ball pretty heavily, many central Asian nations might be tempted to revive dumbass ethnic tension and starting to get ideas about purging minorities and killing each other. This destabilization will provide an opportunity for China to further influence central Asia, eroding Russia's power and increasing Beijing's economic and political influence.