What will be the long-term effects of COVID on the nations of the world? Aside from the price in lives and suffering, it will obviously sap a lot of economic wealth from most of the nations of the world. How will that change the course of history in coming years?

Europe, USA — big hit, big deficits

Russia — probably also got pulled down, will lose economic and hopefully military power

Third world — set back by many years

Asian nations — not as bad as the west, but still many costs

China — unfortunately, they got out quickest and recovered the soonest. SO, it appears possible that China’s strength and position in the world will be strengthened relative to the US, Europe and fellow Asian nations; it will gain more military strength and be even more dangerous and domineering.