The main risk in implementing protectionist policies based on security considerations is that the “national defense card” will likely be overplayed, curbing legitimate trade and investment in the name of safety.

China’s economic exceptionalism is now being threatened by a perfect storm of existing stresses – namely, the domestic debt build-up – and new complications, including US trade barriers, the geopolitical pushback against China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and tightening monetary conditions, particularly in the United States.

For all the fears and complaints about the Belt & Road, it at least offers Africans opportunity.

Mohammad Mahathir’s campaign rhetoric may have been initially regarded as election fodder, but his government’s strong stance on BRI projects illustrates the Malaysian prime minister may be leading his country down a new path.

To survive, ASEAN members must make important decisions about the role of their community in regional affairs.

Along with military goals, the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” initiative serves a variety of economic purposes with strategic undertones. Japan and, to a lesser extent, the United States, Australia, and India are seeking to increase their regional political leverage, favour their export industries, and shield regional countries from economic dependency on China.

What is America’s plan to lead in the 21st century? Without focus and strategic investment, the U.S. is at risk of losing in the game of global leadership – and facing a future where America does not occupy a dominant position.

While some observers are concerned by the fall of the Chinese currency, past experience offers a clear lesson: don’t panic.

China’s Middle Corridor aims to reincarnate an ancient nexus of power, culture, and commerce by promoting economic cooperation through Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. Travelling along this key corridor, however, shows that its vision of promoting trans-Eurasian connectivity is still far from fruition.

By rejecting old theories and embracing competition among its cities, China is creating domestic demand that can fuel its future development.