US rejoins UNESCO to counter China's influence.

The US has formally requested to rejoin UNESCO after a five-year absence, citing China's undue influence on issues such as education and AI. China has become the largest funder of UNESCO's compulsory budget since the US left in 2018. The World Heritage Committee, which plays a significant role in tourism and economics, has been used by China to shape UNESCO's agenda. The US sees China as its biggest threat and wants to have a say in world order. The US reapplication made no mention of Palestine, but it has agreed to pay UNESCO more than $600 million in back dues.