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Does the United States need Europe? That question is currently under much debate in Washington policy circles, with some arguing that the U.S. should redeploy forces, materiel and military planning away from Europe and reallocate them toward countering China. The argument has some validity, but it is ultimately unsustainable.

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A rarely seen occurrence happened in Europe this week: a humbled China apologized to Europe, after the country’s ambassador to France questioned the sovereignty of post-Soviet countries. It has renewed the conversation about what could happen if Europe, armed with a unified China policy, went toe-to-toe with Beijing.

The conflict in Ukraine has strained China's relations with Russia and former Soviet countries, as Beijing navigates its geopolitical interests in the region while trying to maintain stable diplomatic ties with all parties involved.

In a rare move, China’s Foreign Ministry has publicly distanced itself from statements made by a sitting ambassador after the PRC’s top envoy in Paris, Lu Shaye, suggested that none of the former Soviet republics are recognized under international law. His remarks sparked outrage in several European countries.

The economies of Latin America are often influenced by the politics and policies of both the US and China, as their strategic interests and competition can have significant impacts on the region's economic development.

U.S. policy in Latin America is now strongly shaped by the question of China’s involvement and influence there. But while the U.S. will not convince countries to turn away from Beijing, it could help governments negotiate a better and more fair playing field, for China and other foreign powers operating in their countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial visit to China earlier this month sparked widespread criticism on both sides of the Atlantic. Now, as the clamor dies down, two important questions remain that cannot easily be explained away: When it comes to China, who speaks for Europe? And where is European policy on China heading?

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Chinese President Xi Jinping

Could a coalition of non-Western countries find a pathway to peace between Russia and Ukraine? Brazilian President Lula da Silva talked up this prospect on a visit last weekend to Beijing. Along with China’s own 12-point “position paper” on ending the war, that has focused attention on non-Western powers’ potential to broker peace.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron.

French President Emmanuel Macron embarked on a three-day state visit to China last week, during which the war in Ukraine, Europe’s ties with Beijing and trade between France and China topped his agenda. But Macron’s messaging during the trip was confusing and raised questions about his vision of European strategic autonomy.

The US Navy has developed a new strategy to counter China's growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, which involves deploying a larger and more technologically advanced fleet to maintain a strong military presence.

After decades of insufficient funding, misguided investments and poor strategic planning, the U.S. has allowed its position of maritime superiority in the Indo-Pacific to slip away. As a result, China has seized the initiative to threaten not only the United States’ military position in the region, but its economic status as well.