Reaching its 75th anniversary is a testament to Nato’s adaptability, but its evolution over the years raises questions about its role in a changing world. Strategic recalibration is imperative as the geopolitical map changes and the alliance contends with the prospect of Donald Trump taking the US out of Nato.
Ukraine’s failed summer counteroffensive, Republicans holding up funding and the possibility of their candidate winning the presidential election do not bode well for continuing US support. This, plus the Israel-Gaza war taking the focus off the European conflict, could prompt Ukraine to re-engage in the peace process.
Washington’s attempts to construct its own supply chains are unlikely to affect China’s critical mineral exports or its dominant position in both mining rare earth minerals and processing them for export.
A Xi-Biden summit at the Apec forum would cap off recent US-China diplomatic efforts. But Chinese doubts about US sincerity remain, so the onus is on Washington to show a more conciliatory stance.
Bringing Japan and South Korea closer together despite their historical animosity is a diplomatic triumph for Joe Biden, but public support for warmer ties between them is far from certain.
As the US steers Australia towards becoming a bridgehead against China, Canberra must rethink its commitment if it genuinely seeks peace, prosperity and regional stability
Nato has made clear it intends to address perceived threats from China and deepen links with its Asia-Pacific partners. But if it starts extending its reach into the Indo-Pacific, tensions can only escalate.
In a recent interview, the French president talked up the need for Europe to take a more independent approach to global issues. However, the Wagner mutiny in Russia has amplified the message that aligning with the US and standing firmly behind Ukraine is crucial.
The ‘Atlantic Declaration’ with the UK is just the latest US move to disrupt China’s dominance in critical minerals. As Washington looks for mineral alliances and Beijing doubles down on boosting its mining and reserves, expect a fresh bout of intense global politicking.
The EU-US Trade and Technology Council looks set to focus on restricting China’s access to sensitive tech at its coming meeting. While Europe’s ambition to be a leader in digital policy is well known, China’s swift implementation of AI regulation holds lessons for both the US and EU.
Recent research suggests global military spending rose almost 4 per cent last year as countries react to shifting geopolitical realities. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is driving this surge, the US is using it to spur Nato defence spending and there is likely more increases to come.
With both Washington and Beijing releasing papers on Afghanistan, the dichotomy of perspectives is clear. The US puts most of the blame on the Trump administration for the catastrophic mismanagement, while China is eager to pursue peaceful reconstruction and anti-terrorism efforts.
In a sign that ambiguity may be creeping into its foreign policy, New Zealand said it was considering a non-nuclear second ‘pillar’ role in the security pact.
Because of its long range and high-altitude capability, the Patriot system can shoot down Russian missiles and aircraft far from their targets. Ukraine having the Patriot system will change the complexion of the war, but changes in US politics and Russian tactics mean an end to the war is not in sight.
Pakistan’s old F-16s pose no threat to India, given their use is restricted to counterterrorism efforts within its borders. The deal to maintain the F-16s may well be a response to the resurgence in terrorism spilling over from Afghanistan after the US withdrawal.
The US is stepping up engagement in the Pacific as its struggles to counter China’s influence in the region. But attempts to woo Pacific Island nations and stoke fear of a ‘China threat’ may simply be a case of too little, too late.
The US fears the reunification of mainland China and Taiwan – the world’s leading chip maker – would leave it out in the cold in the semiconductor race.
The lack of take-up in the region for the US latest attempts to contain China lays bare its obsolete policy of containment as the world moves towards greater collaboration and development.
Today’s China is a totally different entity than the Soviet Union, and a new cold war with Beijing is not in the West’s interests, given China’s global economic clout and increasing military power.
Afghanistan faces a severe food and humanitarian crisis, with deaths expected to outstrip those during the 20-year war. If the US has concerns that aid funding will leak to the Taliban, it should work with UN agencies to carry out badly needed relief activities.