China, Russia, and Iran Take Center Stage at SCO Summit

The 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s annual gathering got underway August 31 in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, with discussions expected to focus on building trade and digital connections and fostering cultural exchanges. The agenda is seen as aimed at broadly countering US global influence, not so surprising given that the summit’s most prominent attendees include China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Perhaps the most significant discussions will occur…