C3S ISSUE BRIEF 40/26 - China-Russia-Iran Axis: A Geopolitical Counter-Alliance To Tackle The US-Led Global Order.
By Patricia Cherlyn
Introduction
The growing partnership between China, Russia and Iran amidst the Iran war and the Ukraine war has been a concern for Western policymakers. The US and its allies currently face increasing security challenges from China, Iran, Russia and North Korea, as they defy the liberal international order, which was proposed and preserved by the US to maintain its status quo. However, these countries, termed as “the axis of aggressors” are seen as a threat that challenges the liberal international order, both economically and militarily.
The term ‘CRINK’ countries, which include China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, describes a transactional partnership among the countries. Unlike a formal military alliance, the core bond of the group is driven by a shared opposition to the US-led global order. Within this group, China functions as the primary economic and strategic anchor, supplying microelectronics that power ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles that Russia uses against Ukrainian targets.
In turn, Russia is reportedly providing China with submarine quieting technology, which addresses one of China's military weakness relative to the US. Russia also drives cooperation through its war in Ukraine, where it has to rely on other members for military supplies and to navigate the effects of sanctions on its economy. Iran, while engaged in a war with the US, continues to supply Shahed drones, missiles and energy resources. North Korea, on the other hand, provides ammunition and ballistic missiles in exchange for advanced technical assistance and food security for the country.
Hence, the ‘axis of aggressors’, also termed as the ‘axis of upheaval’ work to undermine the western influence and western world order. As a catalyst, the Iran war and Ukraine war have further accelerated this loose alignment to a closer institutionalized partnership.
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(Patricia Cherlyn is a Former Research Officer at C3S and Former Guest Faculty at Pondicherry University)
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