Poland just shut down all border crossings with Belarus indefinitely, citing 'national security.' This snips a vital trade route across Eurasia. Oddly, this comes right after Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Poland, where both sides signed a deal to keep the China-Europe Railway Express running smoothly.
The Polish government did a complete U-turn, and many see this as a Western power play. Ta Kung Pao called the railway the 'steel camel caravan' linking China and Europe. Since 2011, over 110,000 trains have run, hauling goods worth $450 billion, connecting 128 Chinese cities with 229 across 26 European countries. Poland's prime Central European spot turned it into Eastern Europe's logistics hub, creating tens of thousands of jobs and fueling its economy.
The Grand Chessboard and Eurasian Stakes
So, what's Poland really up to by messing with a lifeline that can't afford even a single day off? What gives Poland the right to play this kind of grand strategy? Time to dust off Brzezinski's 'The Grand Chessboard'—an 80s global strategy classic still packed with truths today.
China is now the world's biggest trade market and top industrial power. Thanks to the China-Europe Railway Express, it's tapped into what the US sees as the ultimate geopolitical prize—the vast Eurasian continent. This rise happens just as the US global power starts to wane, making this all the more sensitive.
Brzezinski and Samuel P. Huntington both warned: whenever US dominance slips and a new powerful player rises, global chaos looms. They knew the rise and fall of power is unstoppable. But instead of stepping back, they preached pre-emptive tactics—ideas that evolved into America's famous 'soft' and 'smart' power strategies.
US Strategies to Maintain Global Dominance
In Huntington's 'Clash of Civilizations,' he argued the West must “achieve greater political, economic, and military integration and to coordinate their policies”, so no other civilizations can go “exploiting differences among them”. His China game plan? “Slow the drift of Japan away from the West and toward accommodation with China”. The most crucial point: "to maintain Western technological and military superiority over other civilizations."
His final advice? Stick close to Europe to protect their shared civilization's values and interests: "Those will best be advanced by eschewing these opposing extremes and instead adopting an Atlanticist policy of close cooperation with its European partners to protect and advance the interests and values of the unique civilization they share."
Brzezinski, an American scholar who was born in Warsaw, pushed Sir Halford Mackinder’s idea of the Eurasian 'Pivot Area,' championing Central and Eastern Europe—the geographical 'heartland'—as America's springboard. He famously quoted Mackinder:
'Who rules Eastern Europe commands the Heartland;
who rules the Heartland commands the World Island;
who rules the World Island commands the world.'
Poland: Just a Pawn in the Big Game
The World Island isn't just Eurasia—it includes Africa, too. This zone is crucial for America's global grip. Despite not being Eurasian, the US dominance here is a historic 'exception.' How long they keep this edge will decide their global reign. Step away from Eurasia, and America risks becoming a minor player.
Besides watching Russia closely, Poland's real backer is NATO's leader—the US, the current master of Eurasia. So, the China-Europe Railway Express isn't just a trade route; it's a frontline in the China-US tussle. Poland is just a pawn on this grand chessboard, moved by forces beyond its control. Can Poland really say no to the US?
The US still holds key advantages. If it can rally Europe together, China will have to grind this out with patience and time.
Deep Blue
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
At the beginning of the new year, Donald Trump has single-handedly changed the United States, and the global landscape may also be reshaped. First, he declared that as Commander-in-Chief, the President’s authority is limited only by his own morality. Later, he posted an image on his social platform Truth Social with the caption “Acting President of Venezuela”. The New York Times directly questioned: “Does this mean ignoring international law and acting without any constraints to invade other countries?” Regarding international law, Trump stated, “I abide by it,” but made it clear that when such constraints apply to the United States, he would be the ultimate arbiter.
On January 7, 2026, the President signed a presidential memorandum ordering the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations, including 31 United Nations entities and multiple major international agreements. This action is aimed at exiting organizations deemed by the White House to be “contrary to U.S. interests” and a waste of taxpayer funds. The UN bodies to be withdrawn from include UN Women, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the International Law Commission.
Clearly, Trump has a unique blueprint that serves only American interests. He might retort: “What era is this, still talking about international law and core values? Don’t you know the current state of the U.S.? Don’t you know that the U.S. has long been planning drastic actions?”
In April 2020, retired U.S. Marine Corps officer Mark Cancian proposed a bold strategy. The National Interest reported: “With a coastline of 9,000 miles and the world’s second-largest merchant fleet after Greece, including Hong Kong, China has over 4,000 ships. This is not an advantage but a vulnerability. The U.S. could effectively blockade China’s economy by launching a clever campaign, leaving it exhausted.” The suggestion was for the U.S. to emulate 16th-century Britain by supporting privateers—civilian organizations specialized in plundering Chinese merchant ships. Given China’s current military capabilities, it should be able to meet such challenges, so there’s no need to worry. Still, one can’t help but applaud the audacity of such an idea.
Back then, Biden paid no attention to this plan, as the Democrats were still refined and attached great importance to the cloak of universal values. At the same time, Biden, at least nominally, had to pay lip service to the United Nations, because ideology mattered. The U.S. had previously displayed a magical logic: attacking you to save your people, destroying your country to introduce democracy and freedom, imposing sanctions because you’re a dictatorship... Trump cannot be like ordinary advocates of universal values, who always cite international law and classical references. First, neither he nor his team possess such knowledge. Second, pretending to uphold morality can no longer maximize American interests. Third, former adversaries have “risen,” gradually establishing international moral authority. If the U.S. continues to preach benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, it will only become a laughingstock. After all, Trump has already discarded America’s credibility like trash.
Retired officer Cancian’s plan is exactly the White House’s cup of tea. For context—in the 16th century, Britain supported privateers, civilian organizations that plundered rival nations’ merchant ships. This was essentially the legalization of piracy, with the British monarch issuing “letters of marque” to recruit outlaws for royal service, dubbing them “royal pirates.” These privateers helped Britain destroy the then-dominant Spain at sea, significantly boosting British power and laying the foundation for the Industrial Revolution.
In reality, Trump has already begun “highway robbery” operations, seizing multiple cargo ships in the Caribbean. The White House has also dropped the pretense. Foreign media reported that Deputy Chief of Staff Miller recently declared: “The only permissible maritime energy transportation must comply with U.S. law and national security.” This is no different from robbery—“This mountain is my domain, these trees are my planting; if you wish to pass, leave your toll.” The only difference is that the U.S. is not just a bandit but a pirate. Similarly, Trump and Cheng Yaojin from the Dramatized History of Sui and Tang Dynasties share the title of “Chaos Demon King.”
Next, following the “Trump Gold Card,” Trump could publicly issue “letters of marque,” auctioning them to the highest bidder, and even list them on Wall Street. Their valuation might surpass that of the “Seven Sisters” oil companies—who knows?
