By tf-lawyer.com In a recent analysis by the Politico news website, an informal alliance among authoritarian nations such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—referred to as CRINK—has emerged as a new “axis of evil.” This situation is compelling NATO to reinforce its relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
The report highlights how the other CRINK nations have aligned with Moscow amid its brutal invasion of Ukraine, prompting NATO to enhance ties with like-minded Indo-Pacific countries. Senior officials from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan participated for the first time in NATO’s defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels on the 17th. Over the past three years, leaders from these Indo-Pacific nations attended NATO’s annual summit as special guests.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte commented to the media on the same day, stating that the expanded involvement of Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan in NATO is highly beneficial. “The fact is evident that the security threats emerging in the Indo-Pacific region are interconnected with the situations here. The world cannot be separated,” he emphasized.
The report also pointed out that in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia frequently relies on its allies for assistance. Iran’s Shahed drones have been regularly used by Russian forces to strike Ukrainian cities, with Iranian military advisors also providing support. Both the U.S. and Ukraine accuse Iran of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, although Tehran denies these allegations.
North Korea has been supplying significant quantities of munitions and missiles to Russia, which has become a crucial aid for Russian forces as their progress in Ukraine slows. Kyiv has claimed that North Korea has even deployed thousands of troops to participate in the conflict.
While China insists it has not provided weapons to Russia, Washington asserts that Beijing is covertly supporting President Vladimir Putin’s military. China’s purchases of energy from Russia, along with its exports of chips and other supplies, are cited as key factors enabling Moscow’s war machine to continue operating.
Last week, Russian and Chinese officials met in Beijing and pledged to deepen their cooperation moving forward. Over the past few months, the two countries have conducted several joint military exercises.
Despite receiving military aid from allies, Kyiv faces restrictions on how its weaponry can be employed against Russia.
