Expanding Military Cooperation with Russia’s Allies: Threats to the US and its Allies

Russian military cooperation with Iran, North Korea, and China is causing concern among U.S. defense and intelligence officials, who warn that the sharing of sensitive technology could pose a threat to the United States and its allies long after the war in Ukraine ends.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal titled “How Putin rebuilt Russia’s military machine with the help of US adversaries,” the ties between Russia and these countries have deepened significantly, with agreements ranging from mutual aid in the event of an attack to joint production and technology transfer.

The speed and depth of this expansion has surprised U.S. intelligence analysts, who note that Russia and its new allies have set aside historical differences to stand against what they perceive as a U.S.-dominated global system.

A recent agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to provide mutual aid in case of attack highlights the growing military ties between the two countries. The report describes their relationship as an alliance between two authoritarian states.

The origins of these new alliances can be traced back to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which led to initial battlefield setbacks and Western sanctions. Desperate for new sources of weapons, Russia turned to North Korea, Iran, and China, leading to arrangements that improve Moscow’s long-term capabilities and potentially those of its allies.

While these security ties are not yet a formal military alliance like NATO, they represent a significant shift in diplomatic and strategic cooperation. China, in particular, has played a key role in strengthening trade ties with Russia and helping its defense production recover faster than expected.

Despite efforts by the U.S. to prevent China from providing weapons to Russia, Beijing has supplied a significant amount of dual-use equipment, including metal-cutting machines, microelectronics, optics, and turbojets. This support has helped Russia enhance its military capabilities, including in space, for use in Ukraine.

As the cooperation deepens, U.S. defense officials are closely monitoring the situation, noting that while China is cautious to avoid sanctions, it is still providing substantial support to Russia. This growing military cooperation between Russia and its new partners could have long-lasting implications for global security.