Recent reports have highlighted the increasing collaboration among authoritarian regimes such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. These countries have strengthened their economic, diplomatic, technological, intelligence, and military cooperation, even before the establishment of an “unrestricted” strategic partnership between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in February 2022.
The collaboration between these dictatorships has intensified since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. Iran has been selling thousands of drones to Russia, while North Korea reportedly provided millions of shells to Russia before deploying troops. Although China claims not to support Russia’s war, Chinese companies have been providing dual-use military technologies to Russia, and China currently absorbs nearly half of Russia’s energy exports.
China and Russia have increased joint military exercises, including bomber drills in the international airspace of the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone this summer. Russia has been providing highly sensitive military, space, and surveillance technologies to China, Iran, and North Korea. In June of this year, Putin made his first visit to Pyongyang in 24 years and signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with Kim Jong-un.
The current alliance among these authoritarian regimes is primarily based on mutual interests, rather than a shared vision like that of NATO. The potential for internal conflicts among the alliance members remains, as they compete for influence in regions like Central Asia and the Middle East. The collaboration between these regimes poses a significant threat to American interests and makes it more challenging for the U.S. to achieve its foreign policy objectives.
General Charles A. Flynn, the commander of the U.S. Army Pacific, recently warned that the Axis of the authoritarian regimes is a “very dangerous combination” and requires close monitoring. The U.S. government needs to develop effective countermeasures at an acceptable cost to address this growing challenge promptly.
Analysts and historians have drawn parallels between the current geopolitical landscape and the events leading up to World War II. The emergence of an Axis-like alliance comprising China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea is seen as a global crisis stemming from Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. This situation poses a severe threat, requiring the U.S. to work closely with global allies to safeguard democracy and confront these autocratic regimes.
In light of these developments, the new U.S. administration faces a critical task of navigating these global challenges effectively. The comparison between the current situation and the early 1940s serves as a stark reminder of the need for strategic planning and decisive action in the face of geopolitical threats.
As the world grapples with the implications of these alliances, the U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted the severity of the situation, emphasizing that the actions of these authoritarian states could have far-reaching consequences beyond Europe. The need for cohesive international efforts to address these challenges is paramount, as the global community faces a pivotal moment in history.
In this complex geopolitical landscape, it is crucial for the U.S. and its allies to remain vigilant and united in countering the threats posed by the Axis of authoritarian regimes. The lessons of history underscore the importance of proactive diplomacy and strategic engagement to safeguard peace and security in an increasingly volatile world.