US Faces Escalating Strategic Rivalries with China, Russia, and Iran

The United States is locked in deepening strategic rivalries with China, Russia, and Iran, a dynamic far more perilous than conventional competition. Unlike competitors, which can often be managed through deterrence and diplomacy, rivals actively seek to undermine each other's capacity to compete, frequently clashing through disputes and even armed conflict. These relationships aren't just about conflicting policy goals; they put the very ability of states to maintain dominance across key arenas