The fears are not baseless. For a century, Afghanistan has had deep connections with various transnational jihadist forces. One noted scholar calculates that some 100,000 extremists have connected with Pakistan alone and formed a vast international network.

How things turn out will be a reflection of the success or failure of the U.S. Eurasian strategy. America aims to benefit geopolitically from continued turmoil in Afghanistan, but a common commitment to regional stability and peace by China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran can counter it.

The United States is seeking to put an end to its sprawling invasion of Afghanistan, leaving behind calamitous regional instability at the crossroads of Asia. China’s rising stature in Asia and its expanding interests have them poised to take the reins of global conflict in the country.

The impact of the Afghan Taliban on regional security is limited. But China may nevertheless want to consider economic means to encourage the stability and development in Central Asia, including construction of a highway from Kashgar to Kabul.

The controversial claims China has made in the South China Sea has made it difficult to be its neighbor - but Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte is willing to subvert his own administration to try and mend fences.

American troops are leaving, but the troubles brought by the war on terrorism in the country are far from over. U.S. President Joe Biden says the move is to shift resources to better compete with China. But if the U.S. fails to learn its lessons, it will surely pay a hefty price anew in the future.

Control of the seas is critical for maritime trade, and in the Indian Ocean, global currents have brought China, the U.S., and India together on a potential collision course.

America has failed, but the effect should be modest for China, which has taken reasonable steps to eradicate the roots of extremism at home and weakened external links. Its constructive role must continue.

India’s COVID crisis is a perfect case study in unlearned lessons, poor preparedness, and the continuing threat of the virus even as richer countries climb their way back to full function.

The concept is a foreign one, as China has always stressed the independence of all nation-states as they make their own decisions both domestically and regionally. Moreover, the United States will not be leaving the Middle East anytime soon.