Foreign Affairs
Related: About this forumGrand Betrayal: China Attempts to Weaken Russia. Putin Non-Responsive. 30,000 Men - The Russian Dude
In this explosive deep-dive into the crumbling alliance of authoritarian regimes, we expose Chinas cold, calculated attempt to keep Russia bleeding in Ukraine without lifting a finger to help. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis vague statement that Beijing cant accept Russia losing isnt supportits strategy. China doesnt want Russia to win; it wants a desperate, dependent nuclear buffer that keeps U.S. attention locked on Europe while Beijing eyes Taiwan. Meanwhile, North Korea is going all-in, reportedly sending 30,000 soldiers to the front lines in Ukraine in a surreal move that smells more of desperation than strategy. Pyongyangs goal? Build blood debt with Putin and demand military tech, favors, and recognition later.
As Putins war effort falters, Russia leans on rogue states, importing not just weapons but manpowerfrom North Korean troops to foreign mercenarieswhile Russian citizens wonder why their own sons are still being swept off the streets for conscription. Russian military bases are now training North Korean forces, launching North Korean ballistic missiles into civilian areas in Ukraine, and building a grotesque partnership thats more transactional than ideological.
This isnt a brotherhoodits a sinking ship alliance. China wants obedience, not victory. North Korea wants leverage, not peace. And Putin just wants to avoid losingeven if it means turning his war into an outsourced bloodbath. What emerges is a dark, cynical picture of global geopolitics where authoritarian states use each other as cannon fodder and bargaining chips. Ukraine isnt just fighting for its bordersits fighting against a grotesque system where dictators trade lives for power. A must-watch if you want the raw truth about the China-Russia-North Korea axis, Putins failing war machine, and the real cost of geopolitical betrayal.

dutch777
(4,720 posts)But Xi has plenty of his own problems and is certainly focused on his desire for Taiwan and maintaining his own increasingly moribund and troubled domestic economy. The Ukraine war, in addition to focusing much Western attention away from China, also is absorbing a lot of weaponry and other military resources that would be available to support Taiwan if Xi ever pulls the trigger on an invasion. If you look at the gaming scenarios of a full on Chinese attempt to take Taiwan by force, unless Taiwan and the US just roll over, it will be a blood bath on both sides. While our military tech and training gives us an edge, China's larger numbers in ships, aircraft and missiles operating close to home, the losses in ships, aircraft and personnel will be staggering for both sides.
One also has to worry that should China pull that trigger, there will never be a better time for North Korea to attack South Korea and for Putin to take a shot at the Baltic States. How to go from zero to World War 3 in very short order.
Gum Logger
(231 posts)Hopefully, Ukrainian has wreck enough of the Russian military to keep them quiet