An interesting perspective. Turkey may take on the mantle of “empire,” but it will just be Turkey. That Middle Eastern genie isn’t getting shoved back into that bottle.
I have to agree that the real test for NATO comes after the peace. They have no real dog in a China fight, but France and the UK are pushing back against the way China is working to alter markets to the yuan. In the end, that isn’t enough to prompt a war.
The only question I have about Russia is their nuclear capacity. Now, if the war ends soon (and today’s news promises some possibilities) then I think we’ll see status quo ante-bellum with no changes. I am not as impressed with Russia’s natural resources as others. They are not globe changing - indeed North America could out produce/extract the Russians with the exception that the west wants the stuff….but not the mess. We are horribly guilty of being locally “environmentalist” but globally greedy.
India is the most fascinating case. They aren’t exactly pro-Russian, but the Russians will sell them stuff to slap around Pakistan. India is the next big replacement for China once the new Chinese middle class establishes their internal hegemony - and India is not going to ally itself with China against the U.S. simply because the real money is in democracy - so I admire their middle-of-the-road approach. On the other hand, I think where the Pacific will next pivot to South Korea and Japan who can stand up to Chinese aggression with U.S. support.