US Vice President J.D. Vance recently tried to cast President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as a wildly successful example of the “Trump Doctrine.” According to Vance, the doctrine is simple: you identify a problem that threatens US interests, which “you try to aggressively diplomatically solve.” If diplomacy fails, “you use overwhelming military power to solve it and then you get the hell out of there before it ever becomes a protracted conflict.”

Donald Trump prefers to treat the waters as a bargaining chip, so the United States may reduce high-profile provocations — such as close-in reconnaissance — and instead increase its “gray” tactics and low-intensity military exercises.

China-U.S. competition is fueled by overall national strength. In addition to growing its own hard and soft power, it should pay attention to the evolving politics in the United States, as well as the changes in attitude by U.S. allies, and work to create a united front around the world.

As Philippine President Marcos Jr. embarks on a crucial trip to Washington, uncertainties triggered by U.S. tariffs are unsettling global markets and the trade war with China is squeezing third countries, including many in ASEAN. Lowering tariffs, pursuing investment pledges, and boosting cooperation in sectors such as shipbuilding, semiconductors, and critical minerals are key to rebutting claims that the relation is more arms than butter.

A new global stage is clearly being set as Western powers begin to react to China’s rivalling interests, and the U.K. may be positioning itself as a middle ground for the 21st Century.

The Global South has gone from a nebulous new buzzword to a true factor in determining the world’s relationships. Though far from a monolithic bloc, Global South states share some overlap in vision that will shape the near future in key areas.

Amid the uncertainty of U.S. domestic affairs and the evolving international order, the transatlantic relationship — despite its apparent stability — is likely to experience undercurrents of discontent in the years ahead.

Strategic adjustments, characterized by economic decoupling, high-tech restrictions and military posturing in the Indo-Pacific region, will transform the bilateral relationship and the shape of global security itself.

The world is waiting to see whether the expanding group of countries can take advantage of the window of opportunity presented by the restructuring of the international order and become new protagonists in global governance.

At its 17th summit in Rio, the expanded BRICS bloc faces a moment of reckoning as it seeks to balance growing ambitions with internal divisions, shown in its rare unified stance on U.S.-Israel strikes and push for Global South representation. While advancing financial tools and a climate agenda, BRICS’ core challenge is defining itself not as anti-West, but as a united advocate for a more equitable global order.