Bussard Ramjet
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So how did it work out for the US? As far as we all know the China containment game sank to the bottom of SCS. It uses its influence on Europe against Russia. Are the Russians defeated? On the contrary the Russians can easily survive despite those accusations and sanctions. US soft power is not what used to be.
Soft Power uses are not necessarily to defeat outright, but to contain, create tension, create enemies, and even create insurgencies.
As for Chinese containment, this is a long term game, where Japan, India, and Australia are increasingly already getting onboard. While Japan, and India; have old fashioned disputes of sovereignty, geopolitical influence, and security architecture; Australia is in it basically due to the China threat theory pushed by the US.
Similarly, in Russia's case, Russian influence has been totally decimated in Poland, Baltic etc. The countries that were once under both the Russian empire, and later the Soviet Union have largely turned against it.
Defeat doesn't only mean actual military defeat. It can also mean defeat of influence, curtailment of strategic space, relations with other countries etc.
It can also be used to create internal insurgencies and disturbances like in Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The Americans, specially their citizens, and NGOs, Media, and activists have been very supportive and actively encouraged the de-sinification of both Hong Kong and Taiwan.