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Although the expiration of the New START agreement and rising doubts about the utility of arms control have become apparent, abandoning discussions on further arms agreements will be a strategically shortsighted. Although the Russian aggression in Ukraine, Russian modernisation of its nuclear forces and increasing military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing have added to the threat environment, a fully uncontrolled nuclear arms race will lead to mistrust and escalate the chances of nuclear escalation.

Myanmar has become a key geopolitical battleground in the India–China rivalry. China seeks strategic access to the Indian Ocean, while India views Myanmar as vital to its Act East Policy. Through connectivity projects and infrastructure investments, both powers are competing for long-term influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

As the world moves toward a cleaner and more technology-driven future, critical minerals have become strategic assets. Their growing importance is redefining partnerships, and shaping a new geopolitical landscape.

As geopolitical competition between the United States and China intensifies across the Indo-Pacific, questions surrounding soft power, connectivity, economic statecraft and regional influence have become very important. In the following discussion with the TSI, Dr. Daniele Carminati, Lecturer, International Relations and Global Affairs, Mahidol University International College, Thailand, offers insights into China’s evolving diplomatic strategy, connectivity issues, Southeast Asia’s strategic balancing act and the future of influence in a changing global order.

Trump’s Beijing summit sought to stabilise increasingly adversarial US-China ties. While both leaders projected cooperation, deep structural conflicts over technology, supply chains, Taiwan, and rare earths persist, marking a new era of managed strategic competition.