The US may have joined the vaccine diplomacy race late, but it is trying to outdo Russia and China, both of which had head starts.

As the US and European countries try to exit the coronavirus disease pandemic, their citizens are feeling more divided. Around the world, the pandemic has exacerbated existing trends and challenges, including social and political tensions.

Although much of the world’s attention has been focused on the coronavirus disease, the pandemic has unfortunately not led to a halt in conflict. So far in 2021, hotspots for conflict include Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria and Ethiopia.

If opponents of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu succeed in establishing a new governing coalition, Israel will have new leadership for the first time in 12 years. This raises the question of what, if anything, will change in the country’s relations with the US.

The latest round of Israeli-Palestinian violence highlighted shifts in how the US media reports on the topic and how Americans talk about it. These shifts are important, even if they are not yet likely to significantly shape US policy.

The response among politicians and foreign policy experts in Washington to the recent Israeli-Palestinian violence demonstrates how the debate has shifted in recent years, while reaffirming that US policy continues to privilege Israeli interests.