The China-Russia partnership is a highly consequential geopolitical alignment driven by a shared goal of countering U.S. hegemony and reshaping the international order into a multipolar system. While not a formal alliance, this relationship is strengthened by Russia's increasing economic reliance on China following Western sanctions, which allows Beijing to leverage its influence. Policymakers should note that while the partnership projects deep solidarity (as seen in high-level summits), it remains complex and limited by mutual mistrust and competing strategic interests. This enduring alignment poses a significant challenge to U.S. interests and requires continued diplomatic vigilance.
What Drove Down America’s Fentanyl Deaths?
English Summary
The significant decline in American fentanyl overdose deaths is primarily attributed to a supply shock, rather than increased demand-side interventions like treatment or naloxone availability. Key evidence shows that falling seizure rates and purity levels of fentanyl in both the U.S. and Canada correlate directly with the drop in fatalities. This suggests that the critical constraint is the precursor chemical supply, pointing to increased regulatory control by Chinese authorities. Policymakers must therefore shift focus to the global chemical supply chain, making fentanyl control a critical, enduring feature of US-China diplomatic and counternarcotics negotiations.
中文摘要
美國芬太尼過量死亡人數的顯著下降，主要歸因於供應衝擊，而非治療或奈洛酮（naloxone）可用性等需求端干預措施。關鍵證據顯示，美國和加拿大芬太尼的沒收率和純度下降，與死亡人數的下降呈直接關聯。這表明關鍵限制因素在於前體化學品的供應，並指向中國當局加強的監管控制。因此，政策制定者必須將重點轉移至全球化學品供應鏈，使芬太尼的管控成為美中外交和反毒談判中一個關鍵且持久的議題。
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