Wednesday, January 12, 2005
The Bear and the Panda snuggling up?
Is there a new power balance in the making? Peter Brookes, of the Heritage Foundation, notes that Russia and China are getting closer militarily. According to Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Ivanov, "For the first time in history, we have agreed to hold quite a large military exercise together with China on Chinese territory in the second half of the year."
"The unprecedented nature of these military exercises — and the possible long-term implications for American interests in the Pacific — is mind-boggling," says Brookes. After years of relative stagnation, a troubling sea change in Sino-Russian strategic relations is underway.
But why the change? From the Russian perspective, cuddling up to Beijing has more to do with Russia's frosty relations with the West than the chill of the Russian winter. Decrying the American "dictatorship of international affairs" during a December visit to India, Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to gently remind Washington (and the West) of Russian power — and trouble-making potential. Bristling against NATO's expansion in Europe, Russia is looking for some way to increase Moscow's sagging global standing, as well as balance Western power.
Is there a new power balance in the making? Peter Brookes, of the Heritage Foundation, notes that Russia and China are getting closer militarily. According to Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Ivanov, "For the first time in history, we have agreed to hold quite a large military exercise together with China on Chinese territory in the second half of the year."
"The unprecedented nature of these military exercises — and the possible long-term implications for American interests in the Pacific — is mind-boggling," says Brookes. After years of relative stagnation, a troubling sea change in Sino-Russian strategic relations is underway.
But why the change? From the Russian perspective, cuddling up to Beijing has more to do with Russia's frosty relations with the West than the chill of the Russian winter. Decrying the American "dictatorship of international affairs" during a December visit to India, Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to gently remind Washington (and the West) of Russian power — and trouble-making potential. Bristling against NATO's expansion in Europe, Russia is looking for some way to increase Moscow's sagging global standing, as well as balance Western power.
