Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted

Russia, China, Iran relations strengthening in face of US: Axios

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Axios
  • 1 Sep 2022 23:22
  • 5 Shares
4 Min Read

With the recent launch of the Vostok 2022 military drills in Russia's Primorsky Region, and the participation of servicemen from thirteen different countries, including China, this show of strength is clearly reflecting the tipping in the global balance of power against the US.

  • x
  • Russia, China, Iran relations strengthened in the face of US adversary
    Russia, China, Iran relations strengthened in the face of US adversary

The US's biggest adversaries — China, Russia, and Iran — are increasingly teaming up in ways that could undermine US objectives.

Yesterday, Russian and Chinese forces began a seven-day-long major military exercise in Russia's far east. Meanwhile, Russia has received an initial batch of drones from Iran to deploy on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Those are just the latest examples of America's top geopolitical foes finding a common cause. Referring to relations with countries like Iran and Russia, a Chinese diplomat tells Axios it's "only natural" that countries facing sanctions and pressure from the US would move closer together.

According to Axios author Dave Lawler, the relationships among these three countries are defined not by deep bonds or shared values, but by specific interests and the mutual desire to challenge Washington.

While Beijing is officially neutral on Russia's invasion, officials and state media have repeatedly blamed it on the US and NATO and refused to criticize the Kremlin. Moscow, in turn, publicly backed Beijing's muscular response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. The two powers have also joined forces on a series of recent votes at the UN Security Council, including to veto US-backed sanctions on North Korea.

Read more: Russia to US: Pay back 20 years of occupation to Afghanistan

Moscow's decision to proceed with the Vostok war games with China this week is intended as a signal that Russia can still "play on multiple chess boards" even with so many of its forces now in Ukraine, said Alexander Gabuev, an expert on Russia-China relations.

The exercises are likely to be scaled back from the 2018 iteration due to the war, and several other countries including India will also take part. But China is expected to have the largest footprint aside from Russia for both the ground and naval exercises. "China is sending a signal that despite the war and Western pressure on China, the military component of the China-Russia relationship is getting stronger," Gabuev said.

That's also true in terms of trade between the countries, which has increased in value by around 30% this year — helping to ease the blow of Western sanctions

Those sanctions will make Russia even more reliant on China as a customer for its energy and as a source of goods, particularly high-tech products. A lot of that trade is circumventing the US dollar, Gabuev noted.

Related News

Trump approves Patriot missiles to Ukraine, bills EU for costs

Russia slams US-Denmark military pact as threat to its security

Read more: Beijing: NATO warnings on China-Russia arctic alliance 'irresponsible'

While Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping take every opportunity to emphasize that the relationship has "no limits," it's growing more imbalanced due to China's rise. Still, Moscow is a valuable source of discounted oil and gas and weapons technology for Beijing, and of irritation for Washington.

"Just think about the amount of hours that were stolen from [CIA Director] Bill Burns, [national security adviser] Jake Sullivan, and the president himself that they wanted to spend on China that they have to spend dealing with... Russia," Gabuev said.

But the war could also strain China-Russia ties as it drags on, as Ali Wyne of Eurasia Group has noted. And China appears not to have crossed the US red line over providing arms to support Russia's war effort.

Iran has definitely crossed that line. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Wednesday that the first shipment of Iranian drones had been "newly introduced to the fight" in Ukraine.

Iran and Russia have also reportedly been collaborating to evade Western sanctions, a partnership that could undermine US efforts both to impose costs for the Ukraine invasion and to convince Iran to return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.

While Russia and Iran had cooperated in various areas in the past, they also had disagreements, a Western official said. Now, the relationship is "assuming a more strategic character" because "Russia needs Iran more than before."

China's increased purchases of Iranian oil, meanwhile, are helping to keep the Iranian economy afloat — and undercut US leverage over Tehran.

The two countries announced in January that they were entering the implementation stage of a 25-year economic and security cooperation agreement.

"A marriage of convenience can be much more durable than a romantic relationship," Gabuev said.

Read more: Russia: Western sanctions won't obstruct Russian-Iranian cooperation

  • Russia
  • US
  • China
  • Iran

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS