The eastward expansion of NATO makes Russia feel vulnerable, and it could react with a fight based on its national DNA. But sovereign states should be guided by one key principle: Never take the first step without considering the last one.

The United States has rejected some Russian proposals, but the door is not closed on dialogue. The U.S. says Russian military accommodation along the Ukrainian border will help foster strategic compromise.

China and Russia may be forced to seek a new systemic equilibrium, with the result being two international camps. This could lead to a new cold war and subject other nations to unpredictable security costs.

During their recent virtual summit, the presidents of China and Russia China had plenty of reason to discuss what to do about their respective external threats. China’s Foreign Ministry said it would rev up coordination between the two in search of a strategic counterbalance.

In his meeting with Vladimir Putin on June 16, Joe Biden acknowledged that the U.S. should no longer talk to the Russians from a position of force. For the first time in a long time, the U.S. engaged with another country without threats. The outcome remains to be seen.

China and the United States should seek to warm their relationship, even amid competition, and their leaders should meet. The international community would welcome such a meeting by the world’s largest and second-largest economies, as it would contribute to global stability.

The Biden administration faces many constraints and limitations. And the two sides do not appear to have enough political will to reach a grand strategic bargain. Thus, the summit is unlikely to smooth the bumpy road of bilateral relations.

U.S. core national interests are defined by the new administration as safeguarding American strength, promoting power sharing to U.S. advantage and upholding a stable and open international system.

Both countries know that confrontation only leads to a dead end in the long run. A mix of cooperation and competition remains the norm that has worked for both countries in the past. But it’s difficult to strike a balance, and competition is likely to overwhelm cooperation, as it always has.

American airstrikes took place in Syria, but there’s no question they were intended to send a message to Iran and Russia. It’s clear the U.S. intends to reassert its influence in the Middle East.