The new Taliban regime in Kabul is faced with the responsibility of governing an impoverished, underdeveloped nation recovering from decades of destruction. Their biggest asset is the nation’s massive mineral deposits, which neighboring China will likely assist in extracting.

The planet is heating up – and so are global geopolitics. With less than two months until the crucial United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the United States and China must commit to cooperate on the existential challenge global warming represents. But bilateral relations remain burdened by mistrust, antagonism, and even warmongering.

The U.S. intelligence community’s effort will not help prevent a future pandemic. Many countries will be deeply skeptical of America’s intentions and will be wary that it’s only looking for an excuse to steal biological information.

Scholars from China and around Southeast Asia respond to questions about how the region views the second push by the United States to identify the origins of the coronavirus.

For the United States, the Nord Stream 2 gas project is a reminder of its waning global hegemony. Its ability to control its allies has declined. Bilateral relations have deteriorated. Attempts to block construction have failed. America has become a shadow of its former self.

China has had major success in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, which the U.S. and other Western countries are reluctant to admit. It must now remain levelheaded and modest, sustain its victory and keep the elbow room it has obtained in diplomacy and public opinion.

Concerns were raised that competition between China and the U.S. will jeopardize climate cooperation.

Dr. Anthony Fauci continues to diplomatically lead America through the Covid-19 pandemic, despite calls for his resignation and the defamation of his name.

Cooperation on this important issue will pave the way for joint efforts to overcome other global challenges. The wholehearted cooperation of China and the United States is essential for the success of any effort to solve global challenges. It is time for concerted action, not squabbling.

When will the world have vaccinated 80% of all adults, the level presumed by scientists to produce herd immunity against COVID-19? Most people’s answer is 2023 or 2024, which suggests deep pessimism about the progress of vaccinations outside the rich world. That is also why pledges at the recent G7 summit to donate one billion doses to poor countries during this year and in 2022 look to some like generous game-changers.