no there is no maybe here. they absolutely do.

you're arguing until we get information we can't say anything so we can only say america is the worst and that is so disingenuous and foolish, history alone shows this is how politics work at this level

the west does this i 100% agree they invented the term banana republic but vassal states have existed since before america and things like cultural or religious ties cross geopolitical boundaries. every one with money influences other people towards their goal and people like Xi, Mohammed bin Salman, Putin own economies to bend towards their goals and these are likely either for life rulers or from families who are for life rulers

how do you simply believe they dont engage in this behavior? its foolish