US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to reduce dependence on China for defense-related critical minerals, directing military contractors to shift supply chains away from Beijing-linked sources by January 2027, citing national security in an era of great power competition.
Japanese researchers have launched the "International Order Research Group" to analyze challenges like great power competition and multipolarization. The group aims to address concerns about the decline of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism, as discussed in a dialogue between professors Yoko Iwama and Yuko Kashiya.
Russia has shown resilience and viability under Western sanctions, demonstrating it is not isolated and has partners working on mutual benefit, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin at SPIEF. He stated Russia is a great power with vast economic potential, not just a 'gas station,' and is ready to overcome ongoing difficulties.
Australia announced a new joint project under Aukus to develop underwater drone systems and will purchase three secondhand Virginia-class submarines. Defence Minister Richard Marles's close association with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, a controversial figure, highlights a potential conflict between Australia's commitment to international law and its security alliance with the US.
Australia announced a new Aukus project for underwater drone payloads and will buy three US Virginia-class submarines. Defence Minister Richard Marles's remarks alongside US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth highlighted a tension between Australia's commitment to the rules-based order and Hegseth's more aggressive, 'warfighter'-focused approach.
A study in the Journal of Human Evolution suggests a harsh ice age in Henan province, China, spurred technological innovation in an extinct human species, Homo juluensis. This challenges the notion that creativity only thrives in good times, highlighting adaptation under duress.
Iran's Supreme Leader claims recent war elevated the nation to great power status. US soldiers allege medical support was ignored before a fatal Iranian strike in Kuwait. Trump set a 3-day deadline for a deal with Tehran, while Democrats are furious over a $1.776B compensation fund for Trump.
المرشد الأعلى الإيراني علي خامنئي صرح بأن الحرب الأخيرة رفعت بلاده لمصاف الدول العظمى. الدفاع الإماراتية أعلنت عن مصدر هجوم على محطة براكة النووية. إيران تعرض مقترحاً للتفاوض مع واشنطن يشمل وقف الحرب على جبهة لبنان.
German expert Reiner Braun stated that Russia's image as an enemy has consistently defined German politics since the country's founding. He emphasized that Russia, as a great power, deserves respect and warned against continued confrontation, advocating for a return to dialogue.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for partnership over rivalry with the US, citing mutual losses from confrontation, during a meeting with visiting US President Donald Trump aimed at resolving trade, economic, and global issue differences.
Beijing should adopt a more assertive approach to global cognitive warfare, Chinese scholars said, calling for more action amid a great power rivalry. The appeal was made by Wang Wen, dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University, and Ding Zhuang, an associate research fellow at the institute, who said in a paper last week that China should improve its cognitive warfare system with strengthened “cognitive sovereignty”. “It is necessary to move beyond the traditional,...
From the Great Game to the Cold War, peripheral conflicts once defined great power rivalry. Today they increasingly signal strategic decline Read Full Article at RT.com
From the Great Game to the Cold War, peripheral conflicts once defined great power rivalry. Today they increasingly signal strategic decline Read Full Article at RT.com
Chinese scholars must sharpen their focus on the internal conflicts reshaping the United States if they are to help Beijing navigate its rivalry with Washington, according to a prominent academic. These crises include shifts in political culture, heightened racial tensions, the unsustainability of the country’s economic and fiscal model and the widespread influence of protectionism and populism, according to Ni Feng, a researcher and former director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’...
Analysis of China's evolving global strategy in early 2026 reveals a deliberate pattern of strategic restraint. Despite being positioned as a potential successor to Western leadership, China has avoided direct confrontation with the United States in regional conflicts including Venezuela, Cuba, and the Middle East. This cautious approach reflects Beijing's focus on internal stability and economic growth, though it raises questions about whether China can meet rising global expectations as a counterweight to American power.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has criticized major powers including the U.S., China, Russia, and India for deciding they can 'opt in or opt out' of the rules-based international order. Speaking amid geopolitical shifts triggered by Trump's policies, Trudeau called on middle powers to unite through 'microlateralism' to chart their own course. PM Mark Carney has declared a 'rupture' in the American-led world order and urged smaller nations to build collective resilience against coercion.
Belgian political scientist Sven Biscop analyzes the Iran war and global geopolitical landscape in 2026, warning that US and Israel started conflicts they no longer control. He argues Europe must stand firm against expanding the war, and that only broadening diplomatic negotiations to include more powers can produce a stable arrangement.
