Allies Can Entrap Great Powers

Chinese commentators are framing a new risk: U.S. allies and middle powers (notably Japan) can independently take policies or military steps that draw their patrons into conflicts — a dynamic labelled in the article as 'reverse entrapment.' This is illustrated by comparisons to Iran and Ukraine, warnings about Japanese policy divergence on Taiwan, and debate inside China about how to respond (from hard red lines to seeking dignified co‑builder roles). — If allies can 'entrap' their superpower patrons, alliance management, credibility signalling, and escalation control become central public‑policy issues for the U.S., China, and regional states — changing deterrence calculations and domestic politics in allied capitals.