The war in Ukraine, whether short or long-term, doesn’t serve China’s national interests. While China and Russia are strategic partners, so are China and Ukraine, which agreed in 2013 to preserve national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Thus, for China, the only path forward is peace.

As a former U.S. colonial subject, the Philippines has retained close cultural and official ties to Washington. The new Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has shown that he intends to deviate from his predecessor’s distancing from the United States by rebuilding relations with the West while simultaneously drawing closer to Asian nations - including China.

China and Japan have deepened their economic interdependence, but they have a long way to go in building political trust, especially in the security realm. The two countries should get beyond the old concept that starts with military deterrence. It is no longer productive.

Regional strategic stability depends upon sincere outreach to the DPRK by major powers. Think tanks from China, the U.S. and the ROK have already reached many useful common understandings. They should explore a road map for denuclearization and a peace mechanism and invited the DPRK to participate.

Their positions vary in some details, but the overall thrust is consistent: ASEAN wants peace and prosperity and supports the “one-China” principle. Members have been cautious not to choose sides in a major power rivalry because they see value in both.

Its biggest troubles come from Western sources, which have levied sanctions and provided military aid to Ukraine. While Russia has lost the ability to manipulate international politics, an alignment with China could add new variables.

South Korea has become a dynamic economic force in the 21st century - and as a neighbor of China that hosts multiple U.S. army bases, has grown increasingly important as a potential player in the Quad’s designs for a security encirclement of China.

President Joe Biden’s trip didn’t measure up to expectations. That’s because America’s hegemony in the region is not what it used to be. If the Biden administration had recognized this early, U.S. diplomacy would have been more rewarding.

Locked in a mindset of great power competition, the U.S. president has been trying to find a new balance. Decades of military involvement in the region not only cost the U.S. dearly but also provoked a sort of psychological fatigue.

U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent trip to the Middle East was disappointing at best against the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine. The Biden administration’s attempt to promote allegiance against Russia and promote oil production has ultimately fallen flat.