In the past few weeks, attention within the Rising Powers has been on strengthening–or at least soothing–bilateral relations. The common motivating factor: the United States. Vice President Mike Pence stoked fury from China with his scathing comments about China in a speech at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., on October 4th that accused the country of a variety of ills, including sponsorship of “the wholesale theft of American technology” and plans to interfere in the upcoming midterm elections. India diversified its strategic partnerships with a five billion dollar deal with Russia amidst uncertainty about the US’s intentions and commitments. Debates in Japan over the US military bases in Okinawa have flared again as the country seeks to strengthen ties with regional partners as the US stands on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Brazil’s presidential election has entered a run-off between far-right Jair Bolsonaro and the liberal Fernando Haddad, who have opposing foreign policy platforms. In this week’s Policy Alert, we lend an ear to the Rising Powers’ frustrations and hopes. Read more here.