Who wants to rule the world? I will, says Joe. No, it’ll be me, says Xi | Simon Tisdall

The US and China are building rival global coalitions as the UN stumbles. Tackling collective challenges will be harder in a fragmented world

The EU is talking about admitting new members again, after years of blanking Balkan neighbours. The US is strengthening security ties with India's authoritarian leader and assorted Asia-Pacific strongmen". Even the Saudi outcast, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is back in western favour.

China is courting African and Arab countries and the global south" with seductive talk of a brave new multipolar world, an expanded Brics and an egalitarian G20. Ostracised Russia clings ever more desperately to Beijing, North Korea and like-minded rogue states.