The article argues that the post-Cold War era of U.S. unipolarity, established by the perceived invincibility demonstrated during the Gulf War, has ended. This decline is driven by globalization and technological diffusion, which have democratized advanced military capabilities, allowing regional actors to challenge major powers. Consequently, policymakers must prepare for a more volatile international order marked by frequent crises, heightened costs for securing global trade chokepoints, and reduced predictability from American power. The new rules dictate that great powers can no longer effortlessly impose their will through force.
The Quiet Rise of the Plastics Crisis
English Summary
The plastics crisis represents a pervasive global threat, with microplastics entering human bodies and linking to chronic illnesses due to accelerating pollution rates. Current plastic production is increasing far faster than waste management capacity, overwhelming existing disposal methods like recycling and landfilling. To mitigate this, the report argues that significant policy intervention is necessary, including banning single-use plastics, mandating chemical changes in polymer composition, and improving global waste infrastructure. Solving this requires coordinated international action, such as a legally binding UN treaty, to shift economies toward circular models and sustainable materials.
中文摘要
塑膠危機構成了一種普遍的全球威脅，隨著污染速率加速，微塑膠已進入人體並與慢性疾病產生關聯。目前的塑膠產量遠超廢棄物管理能力，使現有的回收和垃圾掩埋等處置方法不堪負荷。為緩解此危機，本報告主張必須進行重大的政策介入，包括禁止一次性塑膠製品、規範聚合物成分的化學變革，以及改善全球廢棄物基礎設施。解決此問題需要協調國際行動，例如制定具有法律約束力的聯合國條約，以推動經濟體轉向循環模式和永續材料。
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