Where is China-U.S. AI Relationship Headed? The birth of artificial intelligence has brought China and the United States to a historic inflection point. They may find it difficult to become partners in the AI field, yet they share a responsibility to ensure that they do not become joint contributors to systemic, or even existential, risk.

The old international order is being dismantled, even as a new one gradually comes into view. The interplay of major-powers, regional cooperation and global practices will continue to reshape that order as the parties attempt to stop the bleeding.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood before the Munich Security Conference on 14 February 2026 and delivered a speech that will be remembered less for its

The world has entered a period of wrecking-ball politics. Leaders have risen to prominence by promising sweeping demolition rather than careful reform. They seek to tear down rules and institutions at home and abroad, which they falsely claim hinder both their efforts to build stronger, more prosperous countries as well as to prevent “civilizational decline.”

Europe retains global influence in areas such as multilateral governance, the green transition and technological innovation. If it can craft a new synthesis between strategic autonomy and transatlantic cooperation, it may yet play an independent role in the emerging great-power landscape.

The early decades of the 21st Century have already seen a rapid shifting of global power, and today one could view the world’s relationships flowing through a four-way struggle for balance and dominance between the U.S., China, the EU, and Russia.

Yes, they can. As the world’s two major powers in AI technology, the U.S. and China must work together to build capacity, contribute to AI for developing countries, bridge the digital divide and help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

On February 14, 2025, at 1:30 PM, the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) opened at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. I arrived early at the conference hall, but the 200 seats had mostly been taken and I finally found a spot back in the room.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to promoting peace in Ukraine has brought significant changes. China needs to find new roles for itself in promoting the peace process, while continuing to advocate political solutions.

The future is uncertain for the European Union as powerful regimes with inward-looking agendas have begun rolling out policy in the U.S., Germany, and France, due in no small part to the second Trump administration. For Europe, NATO, and the conflict in Ukraine, this could potentially lead to unprecedented changes in the modern global order.