US rejoins UNESCO to counter Chinese influence.

The United States plans to rejoin UNESCO and pay over $600 million in back dues after a decade-long dispute sparked by the organization's move to include Palestine as a member. The decision to return was motivated by concern that China is filling the gap left by the US in UNESCO policymaking, notably in setting standards for artificial intelligence and technology education around the world. The move will face a vote by UNESCO's member states in the coming weeks, but approval seems a formality after the resounding applause that greeted the announcement in UNESCO's Paris headquarters Monday.