Introducing China’s Other Carrier Program

Introducing China’s Other Carrier Program

These are heady days for the People’s Liberation Army Navy. It was not so long ago when Western strategists argued whether China was purchasing more ex-Soviet carrier hulls to study the vessels or perhaps just building more floating casino attractions instead. Today, the “near seas” are well stocked with sleek new Chinese frigates and destroyers. And yet, one…

Russia’s Military Deal with the Congo Republic Completes Its African “Corridor of Influence”

Russia’s Military Deal with the Congo Republic Completes Its African “Corridor of Influence”

Russia’s dispatch of specialists to the Congo Republic (Congo-Brazzaville) in order to maintain military equipment completes Moscow’s plan of creating a corridor of influence across the continent from the Sudanese Red Sea coast to the Congolese Atlantic one via the Central African Republic, which therefore greatly increases the chances that it’ll ultimately succeed with its…

The US-China Decoupling

The US-China Decoupling

President Donald Trump’s trade war with China is swiftly taking a decisive turn for the worse. Step by step, each measure prompting retaliation, a spat so far limited to tariff increases, now threatens to transform the bilateral relationship into one of managed hostility extending well beyond economic issues. Should Washington and Beijing define each other…

Far from Quiet on the US vs Russia-China Front

Far from Quiet on the US vs Russia-China Front

Let’s start in mid-May, when Nur-Sultan, formerly Astana, hosted the third Russia-Kazakhstan Expert Forum, jointly organized by premier think tank Valdai Club and the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations. The ongoing, laborious and crucial interconnection of the New Silk Roads, or Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasia Economic Union was at the center of…