The war in Ukraine is part of a worldwide power struggle between the United States and China, NATO’s highest military officer believes. This fight for power will lead to more regional wars, Dutch admiral Rob Bauer expects.

The balance of power in the world is shifting, the most important military advisor to NATO chief Mark Rutte warned after the Beatrix lecture he gave in Maastricht on Tuesday. He believes that there is "a redistribution of power in the world between the US and China in particular.”

Until that new balance of power is found, "we will see wars. Not necessarily a world war, but regional wars most likely." Russia, Iran, and North Korea will all play a role in this, according to Bauer.

The Dutch admiral expects to see the foundation of two separate world orders in two different parts of the world within five to ten years. According to Bauer, the international order of recent decades with the United Nations and related organizations and their agreements and rules is hanging by a thread.

NATO has been looking cautiously towards China for some time and may do so even more now that NATO critic Donald Trump will return to the White House. NATO could convince Trump of its continued importance if the alliance can also be useful in that power struggle, according to NATO circles.

The new NATO chief, Mark Rutte, and other leaders have been making a point lately of emphasizing the connection between Russia, China, and their autocratic allies Iran and North Korea.

The fact that North Korea has sent soldiers to fight against Ukraine together with the Russians is a decisive turn, according to Bauer. As a result, he believes, the war can no longer be resolved without also making agreements with North Korea, Iran, and China.