When two highly motivated powers compete for influence, its defenders prepare for the worst - full blown military conflict. The cost of deadly conflict must weigh heavily on the minds of national leaders before they take their next steps.

The Quad Security Dialogue will not get far, mainly because three of its members don’t want to compromise relations with China. The dialogue will likely focus on form over content and symbolism over substance. It will do little to shape Indo-Pacific geopolitics.

The Quad, a revitalized clique of democratic nations surrounding China, has been criticized by Chinese as a thinly-veiled ploy to contain its growth. It could prove to be a formidable obstacle, if the U.S. maneuvers correctly.

A complete reassessment of Washington’s stance on territorial disputes in the East and South China Sea is long overdue. Implied obligations and strategic ambiguity only increases risks for all parties.

The U.S. is the world’s greatest military power already, yet it continues to expand, claiming to be responding, in part, to a Chinese military threat. This is far from convincing. In truth, China is small compared with the U.S. military juggernaut.

American airstrikes took place in Syria, but there’s no question they were intended to send a message to Iran and Russia. It’s clear the U.S. intends to reassert its influence in the Middle East.

Joe Biden’s hope for reasserting American leadership in Southeast Asia will face growing challenges, not only from China but also a skeptical audience in the region.

What message was conveyed? Nobody is quite sure. While the top American diplomat’s visit to Hanoi will surely affect relations with the U.S., Vietnam doesn’t want to alienate China.

Japan’s Prime Minister hosted a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue that pinpointed the rise of China and the disputes in the South China Sea a focal point.

Emerging technologies are bringing advanced capabilities to more countries and adding new ambiguities, which only increase risk. Failing to strengthen controls now will lead to a new arms race.