The U.S. once controlled the market on rare earth minerals, sought after for the production of cell phones, computers, electric and hybrid vehicles, and more. But in the last few decades, China has cornered that market and surpassed the US. We explore how.

President Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran on social media and the agreement was immediately tested. We'll hear the latest. And China has been watching developments in the war closely because gets much of its crude oil imports from Iran through a "dark fleet" of vessels to evade American sanctions.

The United States hosts many students and scientific researchers from the world's two largest countries, India and China. The U.S. is seen as one of the best places to get and education and on the cutting edge of innovation. But a series of moves by the Trump administration, including greater scrutiny of those applying for student visa and, in the case of China, threats to revoke some visas, are making some rethink their plans.

Negotiations over President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" continue on Capitol Hill — but now, his former ally, Elon Musk, is criticizing both the legislation and the president himself. How will Republicans respond?

Then, we look at ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and China.

This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt, international correspondent Emily Feng, and senior political editor & correspondent Mara Liasson.

This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

China scholars in the U.S. compare China's Cultural Revolution and current American dynamics, and see similarities between MAGA and what's called 'the China Dream.'

After 14 years of a devastating civil war, Syria is in the process of reinventing itself. One big question is how the country will be governed now that the more than 50 years of rule by the Assad family has come to an end. For clues on what the future might hold, our correspondent goes to the city that was run by a rebel group during the war. That group led the toppling of the Assad regime and now controls the interim government.

There is a fight for power happening among Palestinian groups in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, has spent weeks weeks besieging the Jenin refugee camp. The tussle is also a fight over different visions for the Palestinian people.

For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates

The regime of President Bashar al-Assad crumbled in rapid fashion as rebel groups challenged his power. Assad is now in exile in Russia and the rebels have taken control of the capital, Damascus. Now displaced Syrians, some of whom have been out of the country for over a decade, are returning home. Our correspondent in Lebanon spoke to some returning Syrians.

The island nation of Palau is at the center of tensions between the U.S., China, and Taiwan. We go there to see what the competition between superpowers looks like on the ground.

In Nigeria, even two meals a day is becoming unaffordable to many. Demonstrators are protesting food inflation of more than 40 percent, and fuel costs that have tripled. And in China, live-streamers digitally clone themselves, raising questions about the future of labor in the age of A.I.

Artificial Intelligence makes it possible to resurrect deceased loved-ones in the form of a very convincing video and audio imitation. Some companies in China are beginning to provide this as a service. We hear about the practice and the ethical questions it raises

In the latest escalation of tensions between the two, China seized a fishing vessel from Taiwan while it was in Taiwanese territorial waters. This is seen as Beijing sending a message that it plans to assert more control over Taiwan, which China claims as it's own. Our correspondent travels to a small Taiwanese island near where the boat was seized and finds residents who know they would be on the front line of any future military action that could erupt between China and Taiwan.

In the landmark bipartisan foreign aid package that passed earlier this year, there was money for two allies in ongoing military conflicts: Israel and Ukraine. But there was also money for the Indo-Pacific region. So why is the U.S. interested in the region and how is Taiwan involved?

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, defense correspondent Tom Bowman, and foreign correspondent Emily Feng.

The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our intern is Bria Suggs. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.

A new president in Taiwan was inaugurated this week. Lai Ching-te will now lead a Taiwan that is divided politically on many issues, including on how to confront China. We'll hear from our correspondent in Taipei and from some young Taiwanese preparing for mandatory military service.

Lai Ching-te has been sworn into office with a promise to uphold democracy. Trained as a doctor, the unlikely politician has won a loyal following in southern Taiwan but remains despised in China.

The people behind the online scams you see might be the victim of a scam themselves. Tens of thousands of people have been trafficked into remote, Southeast Asian compounds and forced to scam others.

China's feared state security ministry has been more public and more powerful in its quest to suppress internal dissent and monitor foreign activity.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrapped up a trip to China to mend bilateral ties, but Chinese citizens cared far more about what she ate — and how.

Taiwan is still working to rescue more than 700 people trapped by the massive earthquake that hit the Asian island on Wednesday.

The deadly earthquake struck Taiwan during the morning rush hour on Wednesday — collapsing buildings and triggering tsunami warnings in Japan and the Philippines.