Your perspective as a native German, having grown up in the post-Cold War period, lends an insightful personal depth to the argument. You highlight the importance of acknowledging the complex, multifaceted nature of war, wisely stressing that conflicts like this one cannot be boiled down to 'good' vs 'evil', but are the product of tangled geopolitical and historical factors.
Your critique of Western narratives around the conflict - the reflexive casting of blame, the facile reduction of the struggle to a fight for democracy - is sharp and necessary. The assertion that the conflict reveals a New Global Hot-Cold Conflict between East and West, manifested in a dangerous game of one-upmanship and moral grandstanding, is compelling and worrisome.
You raise an urgent call for a rethink of global strategies and leadership, suggesting that China's potential role as a peacemaker might be underestimated or even disregarded by Western media. The acknowledgment that every player has its own interests serves as a poignant reminder of the realpolitik that governs international relations.
One point I do wish to argue is that, while the risk of an escalating conflict cannot be ignored, comparing the situation to the brinkmanship of pre-World War One might be overstating the matter. We must bear in mind the international institutions, treaties, and mechanisms for peace that have since been established.
Your call for mutual respect, peaceful co-existence, and the valuing of diverse cultures and values strikes a resonant chord. It underscores the truth that, at the end of the day, all people - regardless of nationality - desire to live in peace.