More chest puffing from "The Bear". Are the world's views of our current foreign policy a cause of this?

Interesting question SSgt (Join to see) . In my view, our foreign policy (which I agree is perceived globally as "weak") is not "fueling" the chest puffing - their own interests and strategies are the root cause/explanation. That said, I think our weakness enables/emboldens both to be more aggressive than they might otherwise be.

Bottom line is they are both intent on securing their own position as regional hegemons and, to some extent, global influencers. I don't think either has particular ambitions of being a global superpower, but would agree they would both like to see US influence reduced, particularly within their specific regions.

Really interesting question is what the US will do about it. At some point, we are going to have to come to grips with the cost of attempting to continue as a global superpower in light of other, primarily domestic, priorities. For what it's worth, I predict we won't until the entire system comes crashing down in a global collapse, but then I'm a bit of pessimist when it comes to our Government's ability to make rational, data-driven decisions.

I think that it's not that we are necessarily being seen as "weak" or Russia and China being "strong", they have their policy to project their power into certain spheres of influence they view as their own, and they think the conditions are right. I mean have we not done exactly the same in the past? They are doing this in a fairly showy way (the Russians at least), which in my view makes them look like that annoying kid on the playground we all used to know who would always play with his new toy in front of everybody just to show off.
All and all, it's just more bellicose rhetoric, and very little will come of it, except if Putin tries to pretend there are "ethnic Russians" being oppressed in other European countries.
As far as the Chinese are concerned, all it looks like they are doing is using their foreign policy to protect their future GDP at the cost of pissing off their neighbors, instead of ridiculous campaigns of imperialism like the Russians.

If I had a nickle for every time...

I'd be a billionaire...

Okay maybe not... I would have a hefty pocket full of change.

Russia is trying to project it's power over the northern ice caps and stake a claim on the oil fields under the ice caps at the north pole. Russia's Navy took a hit after the collapse of the Soviet Union. While much of their OOB remains relevant, they are still faced with the issue of an aging inventory (Kilo attack subs, TU-95 Bombers that operate on Kerosene, etc.). Because their economy is heavily oil dependent, the roller coaster of the oil markets can have a severely detrimental effect on their ability to fund their aging inventory. In fact, the drop in the oil markets earlier this year caused a near collapse of Russia's economy.

China is trying to extend it's Naval influence first in the pacific, especially in the East and South China seas and second globally. The trend is that China continues to grow the area it sends SAGs and "Good Will" cruises. It will be interesting to see what happens as China develops it's carrier fleet.