The discussion revolves around the role that should be played in the international arena by the United States of America, a superpower that appears to have passed its influential peak. The US has hopes pinned on Asia as a new lifeline to global economic dynamism, but China, the dominant force on the continent, is an unavoidable obstacle to US "hegemony". What is China seeking to achieve? How might the US and Japan cooperate in response? And what will become of international security?

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Ceremonial soldiers parade during the 79th anniversary of the Victory Day in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2024. (Sefa Karacan via Getty Images)