AN INITIATIVE OF THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS connecting leading global foreign policy institutes
This paper looks at the implications of increased trade tensions between the United States and China. It argues that the Trump and Xi must think beyond national interests and pursue a better balance of trade to ensure global economic stability.
Thanks to the power shift in the international system and the deepening cooperation of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in the past six years, the role of this group in global affairs continues to gain momentum. The BRICS group is not only an economic concept but increasingly it is also taking the form of a political entity. However, with the slowing economic growth in BRICS countries and changing geopolitical dynamics around the world, the role of the BRICS on global governance is facing greater challenges than before.
Thanks to the power shift in the international system and the deepening cooperation of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in the past six years, the role of this group in global affairs continues to gain momentum. The BRICS group is not only an economic concept but increasingly it is also taking the form of a political entity. However, with the slowing economic growth in BRICS countries and changing geopolitical dynamics around the world, the role of the BRICS on global governance is facing greater challenges than before.
The Russia-Ukraine war is the most debated topic among international relations scholars in the United States, China, and around the world. They have struggled to reach a consensus on the nature of the conflict, positions to take, or how to resolve it. Viewpoints vary on whether it is a Russian invasion of Ukraine or a conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and on whether it should be analyzed from a historical perspective or solely on its immediate context.
The Russia-Ukraine war is the most debated topic among international relations scholars in the United States, China, and around the world. They have struggled to reach a consensus on the nature of the conflict, positions to take, or how to resolve it. Viewpoints vary on whether it is a Russian invasion of Ukraine or a conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and on whether it should be analyzed from a historical perspective or solely on its immediate context.
Multiple challenges are causing instability and uncertainty around the world. Whether conflict, cyber security, artificial intelligence, climate change, migration, protectionism, financial instability, or terrorism, the challenges are more than any one country can tackle alone. The sensible thing for the world would be to act in concert to meet those challenges. However, countries are finding it difficult to connect with each other and agree on solutions.
Multiple challenges are causing instability and uncertainty around the world. Whether conflict, cyber security, artificial intelligence, climate change, migration, protectionism, financial instability, or terrorism, the challenges are more than any one country can tackle alone. The sensible thing for the world would be to act in concert to meet those challenges. However, countries are finding it difficult to connect with each other and agree on solutions.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has killed more than 3,000 people—so far. It is spreading at an alarming pace, despite the efforts of governments and regional and multilateral organizations to stem the tide. The initial cases of this outbreak were reportedly from the forested region in southeastern Guinea in Gueckedou prefecture, close to the borders of Liberia and Sierra Leone. The virus has spread to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, with an additional reported case in the United States.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has killed more than 3,000 people—so far. It is spreading at an alarming pace, despite the efforts of governments and regional and multilateral organizations to stem the tide. The initial cases of this outbreak were reportedly from the forested region in southeastern Guinea in Gueckedou prefecture, close to the borders of Liberia and Sierra Leone. The virus has spread to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, with an additional reported case in the United States.
The Pacific Islands are of intensifying geostrategic interest. Sitting between Asia and the Americas, the region is one of the world’s most dependent on aid. It acts as the custodian of large swaths of the world’s fisheries and makes up a significant voting bloc at the United Nations, giving the region more geostrategic relevance than its modestly sized population might suggest. With China expanding its foreign aid programs in the region, the geopolitical competition for influence among China and other international and regional powers appears to be heating up.
The Pacific Islands are of intensifying geostrategic interest. Sitting between Asia and the Americas, the region is one of the world’s most dependent on aid. It acts as the custodian of large swaths of the world’s fisheries and makes up a significant voting bloc at the United Nations, giving the region more geostrategic relevance than its modestly sized population might suggest. With China expanding its foreign aid programs in the region, the geopolitical competition for influence among China and other international and regional powers appears to be heating up.
After seven arduous years, President Barack Obama no doubt dreams of sleeping in for a month of Sundays. Alas, there will be little respite for him in 2016. Beyond fighting legislative battles and containing international crises, the president and his colleagues will face an unrelenting schedule of global summits sure to test even the most ardent supporter of international cooperation—and the human capacity to handle jet lag. Here are seven of the most important international events in the coming year. The good news? The first two are in the United States.
After seven arduous years, President Barack Obama no doubt dreams of sleeping in for a month of Sundays. Alas, there will be little respite for him in 2016. Beyond fighting legislative battles and containing international crises, the president and his colleagues will face an unrelenting schedule of global summits sure to test even the most ardent supporter of international cooperation—and the human capacity to handle jet lag. Here are seven of the most important international events in the coming year. The good news? The first two are in the United States.
On July 8–9, Russian President Vladimir Putin will host the heads of Brazil, India, China, and South Africa at the seventh BRICS summit, in Ufa. Russia’s presidency of the BRICS, which began in May 2015, aims to pursue the following five priorities: strengthen international peace and security, facilitate multilateral financial cooperation and reform the international financial system, enhance trade and economic cooperation, expand social cooperation of the BRICS countries, deepen humanitarian interaction.
On July 8–9, Russian President Vladimir Putin will host the heads of Brazil, India, China, and South Africa at the seventh BRICS summit, in Ufa. Russia’s presidency of the BRICS, which began in May 2015, aims to pursue the following five priorities: strengthen international peace and security, facilitate multilateral financial cooperation and reform the international financial system, enhance trade and economic cooperation, expand social cooperation of the BRICS countries, deepen humanitarian interaction.
It has been a rocky year for the climate. The Trump administration’s announcement in June that it will withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement dealt a heavy blow to the nascent climate regime. Fortunately, it has not proved terminal. Other signatories have not used the exit as an excuse to do the same. If anything, it appears to have had a galvanizing effect among governments, which have unanimously reiterated their commitment to the accord.
It has been a rocky year for the climate. The Trump administration’s announcement in June that it will withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement dealt a heavy blow to the nascent climate regime. Fortunately, it has not proved terminal. Other signatories have not used the exit as an excuse to do the same. If anything, it appears to have had a galvanizing effect among governments, which have unanimously reiterated their commitment to the accord.
