In this New World Disorder, you need Vietnam's bamboo diplomacy

With the US resembling Russia and China as an imperialist bully, more countries should emulate Vietnam and bend with the geopolitical winds to avoid snapping.

- Andreas Kluth

I observe international affairs from Washington, capital of a superpower which used to be the world's more-or-less benevolent hegemon, but which is now groping for a different role as a potential imperialist carving up the planet into spheres of influence.

But what if you're looking back at us in Washington from the capital of a non-major (if not "small") power? A place, say, like Hanoi, Jakarta, New Delhi, Pretoria, Abuja, Brasilia or Mexico City—or indeed Copenhagen, Ottawa or Panama City?

My advice, roughly 100 days into the second presidency of Mr. Donald Trump: Emulate Vietnam and adopt some version of its "bamboo diplomacy." Bend with the geopolitical winds so that you don't snap. Keep all the major powers distant, if not equidistant, and hedge your bets. Trade with all who are open to it, and in multilateral arrangements where possible. Enter into fluid alliances to deter Russia, China, the US or anybody else where necessary, sometimes with one against the others. Don't trust the pacts you make with any of them, but don't provoke either. Do anything that will let you stay independent and sovereign.