The New Silk Road

Animated by their opposing visions of economic prosperity and global influence, China and India's competition over Pakistani and Iranian ports, respectively, carry on at all costs.

As concerns mount in participating states about debt and the growth of Chinese influence, Beijing is adjusting its approach to its signature infrastructure project.

As Beijing increases its ties in the Pacific subregion of Melanesia, Australia is forced to reckon with a more permanent Chinese presence on its doorstep.

New Delhi is eager to maintain its dominance over the smaller states of the subcontinent, but it'll have a hard time competing with Chinese money.

Concerned about China's influence, Malaysia suspended a massive rail project last year. But now that Beijing has sweetened the deal, Kuala Lumpur is having second thoughts.

Even though Ankara has released a seemingly measured statement on the Uighurs, it risks damaging Turkey's economic ties with China, just as the Turkish government has said it wants to increase them.

A few hundred people rallied this week in the Kyrgyz capital against Chinese migrants and economic ties. Such resistance is likely to grow as Beijing's presence in the region expands.

Manila has beaten a path to Beijing's door in the hopes of attracting investment, but the much-anticipated funds have yet to arrive.

Beijing is eager to tap into the Arctic's abundant resources and take advantage of shipping lanes that will open as sea ice recedes. But it will need to muscle into the region first.