Let’s face it, the mainstream media is having a field day with the recent economic and security pact signed by two countries that has sent shockwaves through international relations. And what’s the first thing you’ll hear from outlets like CNN? An urgent alarm that the pact is “targeted” at China, as if the West’s every move is dictated by Beijing’s supposed threat level. It’s almost as if they’re saying, “Look over there! The boogeyman is coming!” This predictable spin keeps the narrative alive that we must rally against a shadowy adversary rather than look inward at our own policy failures.

Meanwhile, Fox News uses the opportunity to stoke fear and outrage, charging forth with their sensational headlines that play directly into nationalist sentiment. They conveniently ignore the nuanced economic benefits this agreement could provide both signatories. Instead of rational discussion, it’s all about drumming up fear that “China will retaliate” or “what this means for American security,” as if the agreement is a marching order for global conflict.

What’s truly troubling is how both major networks avoid dissecting the underlying motives for each nation’s actions. Instead of sophisticated analysis, we get a one-size-fits-all narrative that sidelines complexity in favor of sensationalism. We need to demand better from our news sources and get back to asking the tough questions instead of swallowing these pre-packaged narratives whole.