Russia and China
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From the United States’ perspective, Russia and China represent competitors on the international stage. Experts argue that the relationship between Russia and China has strengthened in recent years due to their shared perceived threat of US power and influence. Russia and China signed the “Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation” in 2001. In 2021, Russia and China signed a five-year extension of the treaty, symbolizing their close ties. The treaty initially allowed the two countries to develop a “strategic partnership” based on economic cooperation and strong military collaboration. Russian politicians have asserted that Western actors, such as those from the US and the EU, have made consistent efforts to disrupt competition stemming from Russia-China relations.
The two nations are also members of BRICS—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This group includes the five major emerging economies in the world. It is unclear whether BRICS has viable political leverage as some contend that the nations differ too much in ideologies and economic growth to maintain robust cooperation. Although Russia is arguably not the most influential player in the alliance, some have debated that it has been able to uphold its interests despite China’s evident dominance.
Russia and Eastern Europe/Central Asia
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Image Courtesy of World Atlas
In the Western view, Russia seeks to expand and maintain its influence on the former Soviet Union states through its political, military, and economic forces. This first became evident in 2008 when Russian troops invaded Georgia and sparked the Russo-Georgian War. The act of aggression left lasting consequences, including sustained Russian control over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia further exhibited aggression through the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent ongoing Ukrainian Conflict. In 2014, the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia signed and established the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The EAEU, which now includes Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, organized free trade agreements amongst member states. Although formed as an apolitical union, the EAEU has become politicized in recent years due to the rising tensions between the West and Russia, and Belarus. The border conflict between Russia-backed Belarus and NATO/EU member Poland has recreated East-West Cold War tensions. A host of migrants have fled into Belarus’ bordering countries following the reelection of Alexander Lukashenko and democratic backsliding. The relationship between Russia and Belarus is critical as they formed the Union State, an agreement between the two countries to commit to the integration of their economies, defense, and other policies.
Russia is also a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). CIS is an assembly of former Soviet states in Eastern Europe and Asia that collaborates on economic, military, and political policies. Likewise, CSTO is a military alliance between Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Russia and Africa
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The involvement in African politics began with the Soviet Union’s support of African independence and promotion of education as many African students fled to study in Soviet universities. In the contemporary world, Russia has made aims to regain and expand its influence in Africa, which is now one of its major military allies. Many argue that Africa is a political priority for Russia as it disrupts US interests that seek to champion the spread of democracy and stability in the region.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccine diplomacy—the use of vaccines to influence the diplomatic relations between nations— constitutes one tool Russia attempted to utilize in upholding its interests in Africa. However, experts argue that the rollout of the Sputnik V vaccine failed in its original purpose due to factors like delayed deliveries and high costs, which resulted in many concerns from African officials.
Russia and the Middle East
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When the Syrian Civil War broke out in 2015, Russia provided military aid on the side of the Syrian government, showing support for the Assad regime. The Kremlin’s decision to interfere in the civil war stemmed from concerns that the fall of the Syrian government would threaten Russian interests and endanger global stability. Many argue that Russia’s military intervention in Syria and overall involvement in the Middle East demonstrate its efforts to assume a greater role on the global stage and disrupt US dominance in the region. As a result, experts fear Russia’s involvement in key countries in the Middle East can pose challenges to the American foreign policy agenda under the Biden Administration.
From 1979-1989, the Soviet Union waged a war with mujahideen rebels in Afghanistan to support the unpopular communist government. The Geneva Accords of 1988 later facilitated the end of the conflict and withdrawal of Soviet troops. However, the mujahideen became fragmented in the early 90s, which sparked a civil war that prompted the Taliban to gain control in the country. Consequently, regime changes led to decades of conflict and ongoing instability. In the summer of 2021, the Biden Administration began pulling troops to end the war in Afghanistan, allowing the Taliban to regain control at the fall of the government. As the world watched a humanitarian crisis emerge in the region, Russia and China’s expanding influence became evident; the flexible alliance leveraged potential new economic and political opportunities in the country. Recently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has had success, unlike the US, in hosting talks with the Taliban.
Why is Russian Foreign Policy Relevant to Americans?
Understanding Russia’s general foreign policy strategy allows one to gain a deeper, more nuanced interpretation of the US’ own foreign policy goals. The two countries have a complicated history of both cooperation and conflict that continue to influence how they act on the international stage.
