Three months after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Syria's interim President has been struggling to unite the country.In a landmark breakthrough, the government struck a deal to merge the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into state institutions.While Syrian Kurds celebrate the deal, residents on the northwestern coast remain wary after days of sectarian violence that killed over 1,000 people. The government blamed pro-Assad groups for instigating the violence, and said the security threats had already been neutralized, but will the fragmented country be able to achieve peace and unity after 13 years of civil war?Host Zhao Ying is joined by Wang Jin, Associate Professor with Northwest University in Xi'an, China; Joseph Siracusa, Professor of Global Futures with Curtin University; Steven Wright, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Hamad Bin Khalifa University.

① China has announced a meeting with Russia and Iran in Beijing to discuss Iran’s nuclear program. We explore how it might create conditions for the resumption of nuclear talks? (00:51)② How is Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane’s visit to China cementing bilateral ties? (12:56)③ How should we understand China’s statement that it has never exported fentanyl-related medications to North America? (24:23)④ Why is Ukraine losing ground to Russian forces in Kursk region? How might the battlefield situation in the region play a role in determining if Moscow will accept the US ceasefire proposal? (33:13)⑤ We take a look at a legal case in China where the court has ruled that an AI-generated image should have copyright protection. Can China’s legal system keep pace with AI’s development in the digital era? (43:32)

① US President Donald Trump’s additional tariffs on steel and aluminum have taken effect after prior exemptions and duty-free quotas expired. How will they hurt the US itself? (00:54)② We explore how Trump’s move to plow ahead on tariffs has made US equities lose trillions of dollars in value. (13:55)③ The US has agreed to resume military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Kyiv showed readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. Does Ukraine genuinely share Trump’s vision for peace? (25:00)④ We take a look at Greenland’s elections which have been dominated by independence and Trump’s interest. (34:43)⑤ Angola has announced a plan to act as a mediator in the conflict between Congo and the rebel group M23. What leverage does Angola hold? (44:06)

① We take a look at China’s newly announced high-tech fund and how it can help the country’s emerging industries grow. (00:54)② SDF, a Kurdish-led militia alliance, has agreed a deal to integrate all military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state. How big of a step forward does the deal represent in Syria’s political process? (13:15)③ We explore why Citi analysts have upgraded their recommendation for China equities from “neutral” to “overweight”. (26:00)④ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to Mauritius, with a major issue at stake: New Delhi’s stance on Mauritius’ claims over the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. (34:42)⑤ Data compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows that the war in Ukraine has helped grow US dominance of the global arms industry. Will this finding alter President Donald Trump’s thinking on whether to withdraw military support for Ukraine? (45:07)

Dr. Yao Shujian, an economist focused on employment in China, discusses how China plans to stabilize its job market amid growth targets. Dr. Joseph Syracuse examines Canada's new political landscape under Mark Carney as he prepares for trade battles with the U.S. Dr. Zhang Chuchu analyzes the escalating violence in Syria and its political implications. Meanwhile, Dr. Yan Liang highlights the Eurozone's economic challenges from U.S. tariffs. Lastly, Chen Xi critiques the impact of U.S. funding cuts on Australia's anti-China narrative.

In this discussion, Warwick Powell, a Senior Fellow at Taihe Institute, Yao Shujie from Chongqing University, and Wang Zhengxu from Zhejiang University analyze China's foreign policy as articulated by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. They explore China's commitment to stability and diplomatic resolutions amid global tensions. The panel delves into the U.S.-China relationship, the impact of trade wars, and the evolving dynamics between China and Europe. Additionally, they discuss China's efforts to engage with the global south, emphasizing mutual benefits and collaboration for a stable world.

①Two Sessions: An interview with CPPCC member, former WHO chief Margaret Chan (00:33)②The United States has paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine. (14:28)③France considers protecting European allies with its nuclear arsenal. (24:59)④Arab leaders have approved a 53-billion-US-dollar plan for Gaza's reconstruction. Can the plan become reality? (34:09)⑤Panama president says "Trump is lying" about reclaiming canal. (43:17)

①China targets economic growth of around 5% in 2025. How achievable is this goal? (00:35)②How can tech innovations help improve senior wellbeing? (25:00)③European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed an 800 billion euro plan to "rearm" Europe. Does this mark a turning point in transatlantic relations? (35:07)④The Mobile World Congress is underway in Barcelona. What trends will shape the future mobile economy? (41:55)

Joining the discussion are Ko Gang, an expert in AI from Southwestern University, and You Tianlong, an international trade specialist at Yunnan University, among others. They dive into Austria's unprecedented coalition government formed after a political deadlock, discussing its potential hurdles and implications for social and economic policies. The panel also examines the escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, including retaliatory tariffs and their global impact. Additionally, they explore China's ambitious plans for AI development and data protection.

Dr. George Zugoplus, an expert on EU-China relations, and Colonel Zhoubo, a security strategist, discuss the new Ukraine peace plan being tailored for U.S. support amidst ongoing tensions. They emphasize the importance of international unity and the role of U.S. diplomacy. Meanwhile, Ding Hong analyzes the impact of Israel's aid suspension in Gaza on humanitarian conditions. Dr. Zhou Mi reveals China's manufacturing revival with strong PMIs, while Zhang Fan shares insights into China's upcoming astronaut training for its Tiangong space station.