Part 14/14:
Friedman concludes that while uncertainties persist, recent diplomatic moves hint at a cautious but detectable shift toward greater cooperation between the US and China. Both nations appear to have more to gain from stability than conflict, especially given their internal and regional challenges.
However, internal domestic issues, regional tensions, and global rivalries continue to pose risks. The evolving dynamics in the Western Pacific, the internal power struggles within China, and the strategic calculations of the US will determine whether this fragile détente lasts or gives way to renewed confrontation. As the world watches closely, the next chapters in this geopolitical saga remain critical for global peace and stability.