It is very much about spheres of influence. Look at China and ports in Africa. And Russia trying to mingle in militias and whatnot. The US is losing a huge amount of influence currently, due to how they treat former allies in Europe and currently due to inept leadership playing a losing game. Russia same. Russia couldn't even defend its border, if Europe collectively decided to invade, to make them finally shut up. But Russia got nukes. It might soon just be an oversized North Korea, if it continues getting decimated in Ukraine. The only winner currently is China, who is catching up with the US in influence and military fast.