As the EU struggles with the ongoing euro crisis, the attitude of the "big three" will crucially influence the future scope and direction of its role in international relations.

China and Russia have formed an alliance ranging from continued opposition to intervention in Syria, to their seeming mutually reinforcing global governance agenda.

Despite common views on international affairs and economic interests, the Russian-Chinese relationship is weak—even in the sphere of energy trade—and needs to be strengthened.

Russia and China are suspicious of multilateral institutions created by the West and hostile to anything that could justify external intervention in a sovereign state’s affairs, but both are learning to use international forums to their advantage.

Robert Kagan led a public discussion on the future of the transatlantic relationship under an Obama administration and its capability to address global challenges.