China, Russia, and Iran Identified as Active Strategic Rivals of the US

The United States faces a mounting challenge from three key nations—China, Russia, and Iran—that are acting as strategic rivals rather than mere competitors. Experts highlight the distinction: strategic competitors pursue opposing goals without necessarily resorting to violence, while rivals go further, engaging in prolonged efforts to undermine each other's position through disputes and even military action. Unlike competitors, rivals threaten each other’s ability to stay in the game entirely,