Sino-Russian Security Cooperation & Competition
TOPIC SPONSOR: EUCOM - Russia Strategic Initiative
What are the opportunities and challenges surrounding Sino-Russian cooperation? How are Russia & China competing? How does this affect their military alignment, particularly in the Arctic and with Central Asian states?
- Abravanel, Maj. Ran, "The Three-Dimensional Conflict: Understanding Russia's International Alignments," ACSC elective paper (The Russian Mind), 2023, 12 pgs.
- Cabrera, Lt. Col. Steven, "Chinese Military, Airpower and Implications," AWC elective paper, 2020, 9 pgs.
- Engstrom, Maj. Shera, "The Chinese-Russian Military Relationship: An Enduring Alliance of a Fair-Weather Friendship?" GCPME thesis, 2023, 46 pgs.
- Ford, Justin G., "The Big '3' Shapeshifters: Examining a Russia-China-North Korea Cooperation," GCPME paper, 2024, 40 pgs.
- Harper, Col. Reginald, "Sino-Russian Relations Outlook," AWC elective paper, 2020, 10 pgs.
- Houk, Ethan, "Humiliation, Pride and Envy: Chinese and Russian Historical Motives for Twenty-First Century Competition," SOS AUAR/ISR paper, 2022, 17 pgs.
- O'Connor, Maj. Robin E., "Changing U.S. Foreign Policy Climate for a Warmer Arctic: Examining the Utility of UNCLOS in Pursuit of Arctic Objectives," AFGC thesis, 2025, 56 pgs.
- O'Connor explains that following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its subsequent suspension from cooperative forums like the Arctic Council, Russia has shifted its Arctic alignment toward China. The two nations established an agreement in 2022 to cooperate in the Arctic and have subsequently conducted bilateral military exercises—incorporating the PRC's People's Liberation Army—in the Bering Strait. O'Connor notes this military alignment and the increase in aggressive rhetoric reflect a broader fortress mentality where Russia views the West as an existential threat, presenting new strategic challenges to the U.S.-led rules-based order in the polar north.
- Rowland, Lt. Col. Daniel T., "Chinese Security Cooperation Activities: Trends and Implications for US Policy," ACSC paper, 2021.
- Taylor, Jeremy W., "China and Russia: Strategic Partnership or Secret Alliance?" Air War College Strategic Studies Paper, 2020, 30 pgs.
- Turner, Mark A., "China's War in Ukraine: The Sino-Russian Partnership and Great Power Competition," Russia RTF paper, 2023, 25 pgs.