Link to article: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/15/briefing/xi-putin-meeting-omicron-moderna-kpop.html
Putin and Xi Jinping , leaders of the two most powerful countries in the east, had a video summit discussing their shared conflicts with the west. During the summit neither side declared a full formal alliance but rather used the term “old friend” Their discussions during the summit included western pressure mainly from the US on human rights. This was most likely triggered by issue with the uighur muslim crisis in China. Putin brought up his views of western military presence in the Asia pacific region. Xi expressed an agreement and both leaders discussed “ independent financial infrastructure” which was to reduce reliance on western banking and reduce involvement of the west. These shred views along with growing geopolitical partnership created more solidarity between the two countries. The article also discussed recent events of Russian pressure on the Ukraine border, as well as Putin’s trip to India. This was brought up in the summit and as the article stated “ Putin and Xi floated a possible three-way summit with India.”.
My take on this article is China and Russia are increasing solidarity to push back against US/ western influence. With the US diplomatic boycott of the winter olympics/ possible sanctions as well as Russian tension with Ukraine. These two countries feeling the pressure from the US have combined forces to push back. This brings up a question of division of power if their plans do work. If the US were to back down to the combined efforts of a Russo-chinese force then who do the spoils go to? This could likely bring up a big fission of two world powers. The solidarity is a dangerous game as both countries’ national interest could easily turn their friendship sour.
This article relates to class with the topic of Realms. All three major actors in this article all rule over their respective realms. All three are considered world powers, with the US having the maritime realm, China with the East Asian realm, and Russia with Eurasian realm. With this recent news of a Russian-Chinese increase in solidarity it could make a license between these two realism to push back on the maritime realm changing each other’s realms and creating possible shatterbelts as a consequence of this. Overall the clash of these realism and their leaders of the relasm could change realms and region hierarchy which could possibly create instability in those contested regions.