America can't have it both ways because "having it both ways" is impossible. It is a lie that masks unsustainable policies that feed the elite at the expense of the rest of society. It's cutting of taxes while you increase the debt. It's economically and politically unsustainable and political and economic strength determine military strength. The billionaires will not fight in the war so either they pay the masses to fight it for them or they face the same reality as Russian elites did in 1917. The only other way is the German scenario which will require America to start plundering other countries by force to cover the losses.
By allowing America to "have it both ways" China simply allows it to continue on its current downward trend that must inevitably end in collapse of the current regime. One way or the other.
It is literally "the capitalists will sell us the rope that we'll use to hang them".
Why would China abandon an advantageous strategy that allows them to play on the comfortable defensive side in favor of one that is less advantageous and potentially more risky because it puts them on the side of aggression?
To satisfy narcissistic egos of internet jingoists who can't handle "humiliation" of seeing angry tweets and provocative articles?
In the ancient times primitive barbarian armies who still understood war in terms of individual and tribal contests started every battle by insulting their enemies and challenging them to single combat. It was characteristic of Celtic cultures for example.
Do you know how that strategy worked for them once they encountered Roman armies, especially in the late Republic era? Are you saying the Romans should also hurl insults and bare bottocks and send legionary Phallus Maximus Coitus to challenge the barbarian champion?
Something tells me that history disagrees with that proposition.
