As the world pivots to Asia, China has its own plans for this vast region and the world. Not satisfied with the options of either assimilating itself to the West or facing confrontation, Beijing is creating its own global system. CrossTalking with Douglas Paal, Daniel Wagner and Richard Weitz.
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Bucket-wheel excavators mine rare earth materials on Ukrainian soil on February 25, 2025, in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine. (Kostiantyn Liberov via Getty Images)