The leaders of the counter-hegemonic pole are Russia, China, and Iran, and no amount of coping or malding about the real and imagined inadequacies of these three will change this simple fact.
There is a reason we say “critical support”
If I were a Iranian I would have major issues with my national government. If I were Russian I would have major issues with my elected leaders. If I were Cuban, Vietnamese, or Chinese, I’m sure I would find something to complain about.
From my current position, in the imperial core, I refuse to speak ill of the countries working to dismantle American hegemony.
It’s also completely gross and disingenous to equate Russia with the US. Russia does not have thousands of military bases across the planet, it does not exploit other countries, and checks none of the boxes for any modern definitfon of imperialism.
Russia is capitalist, but like most capitalist countries on the planet, its a victim of US imperialism, not a recipient of its benefits.
First-world ultralefts can’t help themselves but criticize countries for not meeting their high and abitrary standards. Russia is the main country in the world rn killing NATO troops and draining the west’s military resources.
