The USa is isolated after fighting both Russia and China. Post Brexit Britain is also looking to re-establish ties with russia.
Obama is cornered.
Why? Because of a (minor)protocol spat? Are we really that ignorant?
I think there's so much tension behind the facade and that "mishap" (I actually believe chinese were attacking obama) was just a symptom. It was a moment that releaved some stress from the combatants.
There may be tension. But I think this was just a minor unrelated slip. They happen all the time. When Bush came to power, there was a collision between a US spy plane and a Chinese fighter plane; the Chinese held onto the US plane that had to crash land on their territory - that was a somewhat noteworthy incident.
There is a real issue with China in those disputed Pacific Islands. Yet, to claim the US is isolated requires a re-purposing of the term. Every country of any note in that region sides with the US on the question.
There is also an issue with Russia in the Ukraine. Again, all the major countries with any weight side with the US.
What about Syria? Russia on one side with Bashir and Iran. The US on the other with what? NATO? How many countries in NATO?
Is the US facing challenges? Yes. Isolated? Nothing could be further from the truth.