For some time after the end of the Cold War in 1989, it was common to think that the world had entered a new era in which great power competition would be a thing of the past. But instead, the world has entered a new era of geopolitical competition between states—an era where competitors like the U.S. and China each attempt to win vital allies to their side through battles of strategic diplomacy, and one where the U.S. is regrettably falling behind.

As the Biden administration’s latest national security strategy makes clear, the coming years will be critical for deciding which nation will lead the international order. Of all the countries in the world, the only one that can effectively challenge the United States for global leadership is the People’s Republic of China. To protect America’s national interests, policymakers in Washington must be aware of the nature and scope of the challenges from Beijing.