The United States confronts increasingly complex challenges. Iraq faces disaster at the hands of Jihadist extremists, Syria's horrific civil war rages on, and Russia is underwriting separatist forces in Ukraine. Washington's policies are failing.

The Obama administration has been doing a little better, but not good enough, with China. There is no open conflict between the two, but tensions are high. Territorial disputes throughout the South China Sea and Sea of Japan could flare into violence. North Korea is more disruptive than ever. Other important issues lurk in the background.

While there should be no surprise when important powers like the U.S. and People's Republic of China disagree, the two must work through such issues. Unfortunately, the U.S. is far better at making demands than negotiating solutions. In particular, Washington seems to ignore the interdependence of issues, the fact that positions taken in one area may affect responses in others.