The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit recently highlighted stark differences in global security strategies, with a US analyst emphasizing the contrast between Western blocs and the East’s focus on domestic threats. Einar Tangen, a security commentator, noted that Western alliances often seek external enemies, while the SCO emphasizes addressing internal societal threats like terrorism and separatism.
Tangen’s remarks align with China’s recent calls for challenging Western dominance, underscoring the SCO’s emphasis on multilateralism and a multipolar world. The summit’s key declaration advocates for reforms in global governance, rejecting typical Western practices. This stance contrasts with the West’s narrative, which Tangen describes as aggressive and hegemonic, aiming to maintain influence through fear.
The analyst pointed out that peaceful intentions are often misinterpreted, with the West projecting its own behavior onto others. Tangen highlighted how Washington’s thinking is shaped by an imperial mindset, which views enemies everywhere and maintains hegemony through fear. This perspective underscores the broader geopolitical tensions, where the SCO’s approach to security is seen as fundamentally different from that of Western blocs.