The longer the war drags on, the more variables there will be. Bearing this in mind, Volodymyr Zelenskyy may modify his tough stance against giving up land and seek more pragmatic ways to end the war, such as a truce conditional on NATO or European Union membership.

The withdrawal of the Philippine coast guard cutter BRP Teresa Magbanua from Sabina Shoal highlights rising tensions in the South China Sea, where China and the Philippines assert conflicting territorial claims. While it opens the door for potential diplomacy, the incident also underscores the Philippines' growing alignment with the U.S. amid concerns of becoming collateral damage in broader geopolitical rivalries.

China’s efforts to mediate between various Palestinian groups is a first step toward bridging the divide between Palestine and Israel. The U.S. must also take ownership of its responsibility and similarly employ its significant influence over Israel.

The institutionalized quadrilateral dialogue is now a leading alliance network of the U.S., alongside its bilateral alliances in the Asia Pacific. But there are differences within the Quad that are larger with regard to global hot spots such as the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

For the Ukrainian president to consummate his victory plan he must either wait for or create favorable external conditions. The plan is closely intertwined with the evolving dynamics of relations between China, the United States and Russia.

By insisting on protocols that enable cross-national interoperability in a world that lacks trust, the concept aims to break the grip of a handful of American tech giants while offering a chance for open-source systems to reestablish the sovereignty of all.

President Joe Biden recently hosted Quad leaders to celebrate their cooperation while raising concerns about rising tensions with China. Despite initiatives aimed at countering China's influence, India's growing assertiveness may lead it to distance itself from the Quad, creating uncertainties about the alliance's future amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Derek Grossman is a senior defense analyst at RAND focused on a range of national security policy and Indo-Pacific security issues. He closely tracks intensifying U.S.-China competition throughout the region, including Asia and Oceania. Grossman was interviewed recently by Wang Zhijin, a reporter for China-US Focus, at the recent Xiangshan Forum in Beijing.

Cooperation on artificial intelligence has emerged as an area with high potential for China-U.S. relations. It would have a lasting impact. Therefore, both sides should take more effective measures to promote it and generate positive energy.

When a major country moves unilaterally to increase its own security, it triggers a greater sense of insecurity in others. The recent move by the United States to adjust its nuclear response strategy is having exactly that effect, along with a return of Cold War thinking.