RM 6/14 (RM, citing over 50 experts’ opinions on the China-Russia military alliance, 6-14-2019, "Expert Round-Up: How Likely Is a China-Russia Military Alliance?," Russia Matters, https://www.russiamatters.org/analysis/expert-round-how-likely-china-russia-military-alliance) ank
Sergei Karaganov, Dean, Department of World Economy and International Affairs, National Research University Higher School of Economics
The establishment of a formal Russian-Chinese alliance remains unlikely. Russia values its political and economic partnership with China, but prefers not to tie its channels of cooperation to one country exclusively. (China and Russia: The New Rapprochement, March 2018) Dave Majumdar, Defense Editor, The National Interest [Joint naval] exercises are an indication of a closer partnership between Moscow and Beijing, but [this] falls short of a formal military alliance, analysts in both Russia and the United States said. … Retired Rear Adm. Mike McDevitt, a senior fellow at the Center for Naval Analyses, told The National Interest that while Beijing and Moscow are getting closer there is not likely to be a new strategic alliance between the two. “They are getting closer,” McDevitt said. “But, none of the experts I know believe they are headed toward a formal alliance. Neither nation is prepared to go beyond the ‘strategic partnership’ rubric.” (The National Interest, 07.25.17) Jeffrey Mankoff, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies Many Russian analysts and officials recognize that Moscow needs to be more than a stalking horse for Beijing if it wants others in the region to take it seriously. As long as Moscow believes it is locked in an existential struggle with the West, it will continue to prioritize relations with China in the region. Yet Russian officials and analysts dislike being pulled into China's orbit. Frustration with unfulfilled Chinese promises creates an opening for the U.S. and its allies to seek Russian support for efforts to maintain a more open, pluralistic vision of Asia-Pacific security. This opportunity stems from the nature of the "arranged marriage" between Moscow and Beijing. While the two countries have many good reasons to cooperate, from trade to border security to rejection of U.S.-led democracy promotion, their relationship remains more difficult than it looks on the surface. (Russia Matters, 12.12.16) [The] tilt to China has never lived up to Russian expectations. The [Power of Siberia] pipeline deal remains on the drawing board, amid disputes over investment and the eventual route. Financing from China’s domestically focused banks proved disappointing. The main corridor of Beijing’s One Belt One Road is set to bypass Russia to the south, limiting Moscow’s ability to benefit from either the infrastructure itself or the transcontinental trade it will carry. Nor is Russia interested in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Chinese-sponsored trade agreement given new life by Trump’s rejection of the TPP. (Russia Matters, 12.12.16) Jim Mattis, U.S. Secretary of Defense (2017-2018) It is clear that China and Russia … want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model—gaining veto authority over other nations’ economic, diplomatic and security decisions—to promote their own interests at the expense of their neighbors, America and our allies. (Resignation Letter, 12.20.18) I think that nations act out of their interest. I see little in the long-term that aligns Russia and China. (Reuters, 09.11.18)
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