Boundaries have always been a core element in international politics. The United States has extended its Monroe Doctrine from the dominance of its own hemisphere to the world at large, so it’s hard to say exactly what the boundaries of NATO will look like in the future. But we know it will be expanding.

U.S. allies in East Asia are growing reluctant to support American military actions in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan. These allies express concerns about the significant costs and risks associated with such a conflict, prompting them to advocate for restraint and inform Washington that it would have to confront any resulting conflict with China independently.

Some ponder what the future of the organization will look like given internal divisions, a hollowing-out of cooperation and the isolation of some member countries by the West.

Even as the whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg of the Pentagon Papers passed away, his second secret remains hushed.

Confrontations between the U.S. and China are being amplified by a lack of communication between the military leaders of both sides, even as officials from other national bureaus continue to meet. Without proper means to defuse situations, the risk for escalation runs even higher.

The arms trade market has always been an indicator of the international security situation, and various acquisitions are now clouding the future of the Asia-Pacific region. Several countries are currently engaged in the most significant arms race since World War II.

The core of the Chinese solution to the war is political. The international community has universally welcomed China’s diplomatic efforts, but different opinions have also been expressed. China must listen broadly to perfect its solution and persuade others.

As China continues to rapidly increase its nuclear arsenal, the United States and its allies are exercising strategic response options. But ultimately, it’s imperative that China curb its nuclear buildup to avoid an unwinnable three-way arms race.

Expectations should be kept within reasonable bounds. While China facilitated the diplomatic process between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the momentum fundamentally came from within the region. The successful mediation shows that China correctly understood the aspirations of the region.

If the two countries were able to reach a consensus on peaceful cooperation in developing and using resources on Mars for the benefit of humanity, it would be good news indeed. However, this is unlikely. China-U.S. competition in space is nearly out of control already.