The Sino-Russian Strategic Alignment

Mike and Jude are joined by Sergey Radchenko, the Wilson E.
Schmidt Distinguished Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of
Advanced International Studies. Sergey is an accomplished author,
and has written extensively on the Cold War, nuclear history, and
on Russian and Chinese foreign and security policies.  The
conversation begins by delving into the nature of Beijing’s ties
with Moscow, and how they have evolved from the Cold War. They
explore points of divergence in the interests of China and Russia,
and assess how both countries have reacted to frictions in the
relationship over time. Next, they turn to the war in Ukraine,
examining to what extent tightening Beijing-Moscow ties might have
affected Putin’s ultimate decision to invade, and then discuss
China’s strategic interests in how the conflict ends. Finally, they
discuss ideological alignment between China and Russia, and how
each state aims to shape the global order, before briefly
considering the scope of Russia’s likely responses to escalating
tensions between the U.S. and China in Asia.