The thing is, unlike Islam, China is not proud. Not too culturally proud to adopt the advantages of Western Society. They bought into the system... and have done what makes us so successful... they made it their own. They took capitalism and bent the rules to give them an upper hand... now we're begging them to play fair.
China's future interest may not always align with ours, but their hearts might. I suppose that is to sentimental a view... but it could happen... maybe.
I am not as disappointed in the Republicans as you seem to be... for me it was mostly about the courts and Bush has done well ... the border problem is worrisome ..
but I do think you have it right... head fake left and then hard, very hard, right....maybe so far right that we will not belong.