Russia’s suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which had allowed Ukrainian grain to reach the market, has exacerbated the food crisis facing the global South. While the conference excluded Russia, it provided an opportunity for China to step forward.

Frequent high-level contacts with China may be making a tactical difference for the United States. Tensions have eased slightly. However, the U.S. continues to pursue its broader strategy of containment. As elections approach, the Biden administration has little room to maneuver.

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.

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.

Several countries are making attempts to play the role of mediator to reduce dangerous tensions in various regions. The United States and its closest allies have greeted such efforts with undisguised or barely concealed hostility. Such an attitude not only is unhelpful and counterproductive, it will further isolate the West in the international community.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s outreach to the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, could be a game-changer. The call was welcomed by Zelenskyy, who called it “long and meaningful.” As Beijing steps into its role as a global peacemaker, the world is taking notice.

We live in a world where geopolitical stability relies largely on deterrence. But how can we prove that deterrence works?

China has upped its international statesmanship, making waves by playing the middleman to a historic Iran-Saudi Arabia agreement. Working with other countries like India and Turkey, Beijing’s economic and diplomatic leverage can be a factor in bringing Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table.

The Butterfly Effect has taken flight. China’s diplomatic accomplishment in reconciling Saudi Arabia and Iran could have far-reaching consequences, with Ukraine’s future caught in its wake. The unexpected nature of this historic move means that its ramifications are rapidly gaining momentum and could unleash a tidal wave of global proportions, particularly in Europe.