The Japanese government pinned high hopes on the “three arrows” of fiscal reform, eager to suppress the deflation that has haunted the country for about a decade. But the moves haven’t solved key problems, including its aging and shrinking population. While the “third arrow” sent a clear signal for reforms and involved a wide range of sectors, the lack of real innovation in Abenomics has so far meant limited results.

Using a formula to define “comprehensive national strength,” Yan Xuetong explains how China has increased its national strength by expanding militarily, opening up economically, and maintaining strategic alliances. The world is increasingly witnessing bipolarization due to smaller nations strategically taking sides with either the U.S. or China for their securitization, yet this doesn't mean another Cold War.

Though it would be an exaggeration to say another Cold War is occurring between the U.S. and Russia, their relationship has indeed descended to a new low because of the worsening situation in Ukraine. Yin Chengde posits that the locus of tension is in each sides’ challenge for influence in Ukraine, while China believes it should be solved through political and diplomatic means.

The recent Lausanne agreement on Iran’s nuclear program is an important step forward for the international community after more than 12 years of painstaking negotiations, writes Wu Jianmin.

Many Western countries, the World Bank and other multilateral institutions are embracing China’s proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Their analysis concludes that the bank is a strategic asset for themselves as well as Asia, and the US could benefit from the same approach.

U.S. opposition to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a misreading of global international relations trends and development, according to Wu Jianmian. The AIIB wont’ challenge the existing financial institutions, and through infrastructure development, create a new model of “win-win” cooperation. China says the door is still open for the U.S. to join.

Zbigniew Brzezinski is one of America’s leading strategic thinkers. He was national security adviser to President Jimmy Carter at the time of the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and during the ensuing hostage crisis. He spoke with The WorldPost about the recently negotiated agreement with Iran on its nuclear program.

Previous U.S.-China issues of friction are becoming magnified again: Taiwai-Strait militarization, tension on the Korean Peninsula, maritime tension in the East and South China Seas, and security issues in cyberspace. Zhang Tuosheng calls on both nations to improve their desire to not seek conflict as a solution, strengthen and improve their liaison mechanism, enhance the role of research, and hold joint meetings.

The West increasingly views China as a potential competitor, while Chinese decision-makers misinterpret U.S. “hedging” as “containment.” The dissolution of traditional U.S. global hegemony and increasing importance of the Asia-Pacific calls for new transnational cooperation. The U.S. and China must lead through a “new model of major-country relations” to respond to the increasing environmental, security, and economic challenges arising around the world.

A conflict of sovereignty and identity in Ukraine has drawn speculation as to China’s role in mediation. Despite the ongoing dilemma, China has remained impartial in the matter, repeatedly appealing to all relevant parties to respect International Law as well as the basic norms governing international relations; Ukraine and Russia must settle the dispute through dialogue to maintain peace in the region.