One of the biggest transnational issues is the global pandemic COVID-19. With the rapid emergence of this virus, countries around the world were unprepared to face this virus. Currently, the death toll has amounted up 1.6 million with over 20 million active cases as of December 14, 2020. During this crisis, we have seen a poor global response from all countries especially the big powers running the world. However, soon after COVID-19 was announced as a global pandemic, countries had to cooperate with each other as this was a matter that required global support. Even so, this was the moment that ordinary people were able to visually see the poor international relations between states.

On the reading, one thing that stood out to me was how International Relations analyzed this situation. It took the perspectives of many actors on this issue, such as the World Health Organization’s position in this crisis and several political leaders like Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. It focuses on the lack of global cooperation after Trump’s withdrawal of funding for WHO based on the allegations of poor management on this virus. With lack of funding, WHO’s resources are limited even though the world was relying on them to develop a vaccine and a cure. Furthermore, it looks into the future on the effects of many policy changes and damaged organization relationships. It compares previous crisis with the current one, for example the Economic Crisis of 2008 where it was handled in a very professional manner. Overall, this is an example of how International Relations is so essential as it provides a wide variety of perspectives allowing states to make the best decisions in the future.

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