Compared to the women of the previous two seasons, the women in China (Amanda, Peih Gee, Jaime mainly) were seen as a great step-up in strategic play too...

And in the early game, Amanda did have that alliance with Parvati and Cirie, where she and Parvati convinced Cirie that they'd be willing to ditch Ozzy/James for her because they were too threatening. She was also in control of Malakal with Ozzy, according to Erik, who usually ran all his thoughts by Amanda...