Is the US in decline? After Iran strikes, maybe not, Chinese analysts say

The US’ decapitation of Iran’s leaders highlights America’s superior military strength and runs counter to the popular view in China that the United States is in decline, according to international relations specialists. The weekend operation, conducted with Israel, killed Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior commanders within the country’s armed forces, just weeks after a US Special Forces team abducted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Those two incidents –... AdvertisementUS-China relationsChinaMilitaryIs the US in decline? After Iran strikes, maybe not, Chinese analysts sayThe popular idea in China that American strength is waning may need a rethink, observers say3-MIN READ3-MINYuanyue Dangin BeijingPublished: 11:00pm, 4 Mar 2026The US’ decapitation of Iran’s leaders highlights America’s superior military strength and runs counter to the popular view in China that the United States is in decline, according to international relations specialists.The weekend operation, conducted with Israel, killed Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior commanders within the country’s armed forces, just weeks after a US Special Forces team abducted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.Those two incidents – which Beijing condemned as infringements of sovereignty – showed not only that Washington’s military strength remained “superior”, but also that its “methods of warfare have further evolved”, according to Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing. 05:36Trump says Iran operation will last up to 5 weeks as death toll across Middle East surpasses 500Trump says Iran operation will last up to 5 weeks as death toll across Middle East surpasses 500Zheng Yongnian, a political scientist and government adviser, agreed, saying that “in reality, the US retains formidable economic strength and possesses unparalleled military power globally”.AdvertisementIn an interview published on Monday on the website of the Institute of International Affairs, Qianhai, which he heads, Zheng said that despite voices in China suggesting America was in decline, a number of actions showed “America’s war-making capability depends solely on its will to deploy such power”.These actions included the 2003 overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq, the 2011 killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, and this year’s capture of Maduro and assassination of Khamenei.Advertisement“Despite numerous issues within its political and social spheres, we absolutely must not underestimate America’s capabilities,” Zheng said. 06:54What is a ‘kill line’ and why are Chinese netizens using it to describe living in the US?What is a ‘kill line’ and why are Chinese netizens using it to describe living in the US?AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x