Despite pandemic, global geopolitical currents stay strong

Pandemic or not, are there some global currents whose flows are too strong to stop? This week would suggest yes.
Most countries in the world have been consumed with how to contain the coronavirus, including had-hit Iran and its enemy, Israel. North Korea has closed the country to foreign travel while it claims no infections — something that defectors and experts have strong reason to doubt.
The three nations have been recurring geopolitical pressure points for decades, be it because of con