The recent snap elections in France have complicated the country's foreign policy, particularly towards China. With the rise of both the far-right National Rally and the left-wing New Popular Front, France's stance on China is increasingly uncertain, as diverging views within these factions challenge President Macron's strategic autonomy and complicate Sino-French relations at a critical juncture.

China’s relationship with Russia puts its relationship at risk with the West, and is perhaps the most significant challenge in China-U.S. relations.

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election takes an unexpected turn with Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic candidate and Donald Trump showing strong poll numbers, there have been a variety of speculations surrounding future U.S. policies toward China. As in past presidential campaigns, adopting a "tough on China" stance tends to be a winning strategy with voters, so we can likely expect increased critiques in the coming months. But no matter which candidate wins in November, China policies are not likely to change very much from the past two administrations.

The new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is a reformer who may represent a change in the country’s national mindset. But he will likely to continue to “look East” in the future, fostering closer economic and trade cooperation with China.

Britain’s recent change in leadership will test its ability to navigate its relationship with a powerful China - both an important trading partner and formidable foe on the global stage. As one of the West’s preeminent powers, the UK must move with sound strategy to achieve its goals.

As the countries lean more to the left, they may use relations with China to counter the growing radical right movement in the United States and its domino effect in Europe.

The 2024 Republican Party Platform in the United States reveals much about the direction Donald Trump’s foreign policy would take if he were re-elected. His words and past behavior, paint a sobering picture that is tinged by right-wing ideology.

Can an assassination attempt improve a candidate’s chances of winning an election? Taiwan’s experience suggests that it might. During its 2004 presidential election, polls showed then-President Chen Shui-bian trailing his opponent, Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) candidate Lien Chan. But this changed abruptly the day before the vote, when Chen and Vice President Annette Lu were shot during an election rally.

No matter who ultimately wins the election in November, only minor adjustments to competition with China at the tactical level are likely to occur. The competitive essence will not change. It’s a Cold War-style outcome that may make bilateral cooperation more difficult.

Some sharp contrasts, as well as broad similarities, between the two major European countries’ political environments were revealed by the latest elections. They are likely to be a shaping force in geopolitics.