Geopolitical Landscape - China showcased its military strength, with leaders like Putin and Kim Jong-un in attendance, signaling a potential challenge to the Western world [1][2] - The US is perceived as less predictable and reliable, creating opportunities for countries like China to assert influence [3] - China's leader Xi Jinping aims to strengthen multilateral institutions and uphold signed treaties, presenting a stable alternative [4] - The US's inconsistent foreign policies, such as withdrawing from international agreements (JCPOA, Paris Climate Accord), erode trust [7][8] - While the US isn't necessarily weaker, its allies are, and the US isn't actively supporting their strengthening [9][10] - Xi Jinping has the leverage to push back against the US due to control over critical minerals and technology [12] - The current global order is neither solely US-led nor a new Beijing order, but a complex interplay of powers [13] US Foreign Relations - The US needs to strengthen its friendships globally, particularly with India, which has been strained [18][19] - A potential crypto deal involving the Trump family and Pakistan may be influencing US foreign policy [25][27] - Trump's foreign policy is often driven by personal interests and perceived deference from other leaders [26] - The US's engagement with Pakistan, India's "mortal enemy," is a point of contention [29]

Let's get started, shall we? Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a summit in China yesterday. As the New York Times reports, it was a scene almost certainly intended for an audience on the other side of the world. The leaders of China, Russia, and India, the three largest powers not aligned with the West, smiling and laughing like good friends as they greeted each other. Analysts told the paper the friendliness between Mr.. Shei and ...

A man-made disaster, a moral indictment, a failure of humanity itself. Those were the words of the United Nations chief as a UN back panel confirmed what so many have been warning for months. Famine is underway in Gaza, imposed by Israeli restrictions on food and aid and enabled by the United States.Now, these horrific images are impossible to ignore. And believe it or not, some tried to actually explain it away, blaming so-called quote pre-existing condition. But Israel's yearslong blockade started long be ...

US Foreign Policy Analysis - The report uses Superman as a parable to explain how America feels about its role in the world [1] - The analysis explores what Superman tells us about US foreign policy [1] Media & Podcast - "The Intelligence" podcast discusses the connection between Superman and US foreign policy [1]

From @WSJopinion: Donald Trump is no shrinking violet, and as long as he sits in the Oval Office, the U.S. is unlikely to retreat from the world, writes @wrmead https://t.co/RtgTaomQ3l ...

Geopolitical Crisis & International Relations - The G7's effectiveness is questioned due to the president's early departure during a geopolitical crisis [2][3] - The US signals to Iran that it must either accept a deal to prevent nuclear weapon development or face potential military action from Israel and the US [4][5] - US officials estimate Iran is days away from assembling the fissile material needed for a nuclear bomb, but months away from delivering a weapon [8] - Israel views preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as an existential matter, while the US, though not seeing it as existential, is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining such weapons [9] - The US and Israel are closely aligned regarding Iran [10] US Foreign Policy & Power Dynamics - The president's early departure from the G7 is partly a power play, demonstrating his focus on urgent matters like Iran [11][12] - Trade is a lower priority for the US president compared to the Iran situation [12][13] - The US president prioritizes the Iran issue as an urgent matter [13] Military & Security - The Fordo nuclear installation is under consideration for potential military action by the US, requiring B2 bombers with 30,000-pound bombs [5] - Iran's defenses and proxies are weakened, making them unable to successfully strike Israel due to Israel's strong defenses [7]