If the conflict in Ukraine were to cause a global domino effect with heightened tensions at all latitudes, then it is safe to say that the consequences have already arrived, reverberating loud and clear in East Asia. Of course, while the military-political temperature in the Indo-Pacific region is not as high as in Eastern Europe, it is rising inexorably, writes journalist Federico Giuliani in his article for the Italian edition of InsideOver.
The author believes that Russia has started a geopolitical game in the Far East, carrying out military maneuvers with China, which worries the United States and its local partners, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.
If you look at any geographical map, you can easily find a triangle of death just a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean. Well, the top three include China, North Korea, and, of course, Russia. At the same time, Pyongyang and Moscow are content to increase the pressure on Washington in the region, trying to complicate the life of the Biden administration, thus forcing them to closely monitor both the Ukrainian scenario and the disturbing actions in East Asia (in addition to sporadic crises over Taiwan and other foreign policy issues). )
- says the publication.
The Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet is conducting large-scale exercises, including near the Japanese-contested part of the Kuril Islands. Moscow is trying to show that it is capable of repelling an attack by any potential aggressor from the sea. The Russians have deployed ground forces in Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, surface ships and nuclear submarines in the Sea of ‘Okhotsk, and aviation, causing concern in Tokyo.
The author noted that the Kremlin took this step amid high tensions with the NATO bloc, which in recent months has shown a willingness to expand its military presence in the Pacific to contain China and Russia. . He also recalled that in September 2022, Moscow and Beijing conducted a second joint naval patrol in the Pacific Ocean shortly after the major Vostok-2022 exercises, and in December, the VKS and PLA strategic bombers, Tu-95 and H-6K, carried joint maneuvers, an eight-hour mission. They flew over the Seas of Japan and East China, as well as part of the Pacific Ocean, forcing Tokyo and Seoul to take the fighters into the air.
Meanwhile, Chinese leader Xi Jinping sent a message to his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un, saying the two countries should step up communication amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Beijing is willing to strengthen strategic ties with Pyongyang and promote China-DPRK friendly cooperation to lift it to a higher level. The release of the document took place on April 18, hours before G7 foreign ministers called on North Korea to refrain from any destabilizing or provocative actions of a nuclear or missile nature.
By combining the two short stories, the aforementioned triangle of death appears in full. China has received indirect aid from two of its partners, Russia and North Korea, which have taken steps that are forcing the US military to reconsider its operational plans. In short, Washington must not ignore the tripartite rapprochement between Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang.
concluded the examiner.
Photos used: pixabay.com
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