The “with us or against us" diplomatic approach has polarizing effects, particularly in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. And the global outrage against Russia’s aggression and critiques of China’s tacit support suggests that Putin’s actions will be viewed as a moral failure akin to past fascist regimes.

The Philippines continues to be a magnet for tension in the Indo-Pacific due to its advantageous maritime geography and close relationship to the United States. Could this lead to a Cuban missile crisis for the 21st Century?

The trajectory of cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges over the past year points to a promising future. Deeper understanding supports their ever-expanding, multifaceted relationship.

The European Commission's new leadership, under President Ursula von der Leyen's second term, is shifting toward a more assertive stance on China, amid internal political shifts and overlapping bureaucratic roles. Without a coherent ‘U.S.-China policy,’ Europe risks deepening internal divisions and weakening its ability to assert strategic autonomy between the U.S. and China.

The 2024 Beijing Summit was the first gathering of Chinese and African leaders since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. It enhances the strategic, all-weather nature of their relationships. The result was a repositioning of relations that will affect how China promote cooperation with African countries in the future.

While China is well-positioned to mediate peace in Myanmar due to its economic and strategic interests, its current approach of maintaining relations with all sides in the conflict has not been sufficient to drive meaningful progress. Lasting peace will require China to take a firmer stance, promote constructive dialogue, and collaborate with regional partners to address the humanitarian crisis and political instability.

China's engagement with Africa through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation highlights its strategic commitment to the continent, positioning itself as a robust alternative to Western influence.

Other than a few glib remarks, surprisingly little was said about China at this month’s US presidential debate. Former President Donald Trump asserted that his proposed import tariffs would punish “China and all of the countries that have been ripping us off for years.” Vice President Kamala Harris, for her part, disparaged China’s pandemic response, stating that President Xi Jinping “was responsible for lacking and not giving us transparency about the origins of COVID.”

When President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election, American politics suffered a seismic shock. The Democratic Party’s substitution of Vice President Kamala Harris to face former president Donald Trump upended the apple cart. While Biden had been slipping, Harris’s momentum has made the outcome too close to call.

If both sides maintain a rational and pragmatic understanding of each other and continue on a path of patient, stable communication — looking for opportunities to close seemingly impossible gaps — then a positive outcome is still in the game.