Now, they’re pushing for a third option: building up as many small nations into a single opposing economic sphere against the West, banking on both the continued decline of Western markets while theirs somehow does not collapse, and that the West will not act against them so long as they avoid using blatant force as Russia had.

But Wolf Warrior diplomacy runs contrary to that goal, as it creates hostility in small countries as well as large. No one likes an aggressive diplomat.