Russia As A Chinese Hegemon's Right Hand Man

[DarkStar]

Look at the role that Australia plays today, as America's geostrategic sheriff; first in to act as Washington's scout and advocate for WMD like inspectors into Wuhan and advocating and supplying troops and arms to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Australia acts as America's enforcer and takes on the role of implementing anti Chinese laws as a test bed, to gauge China's reaction before Washington implements those same laws. Australia is basically America's enforcer and right hand man.

In the future, could Russia also act as a similar most trusted lieutenant, albeit with much more powerful arms and heft to achieve China's geostrategic goals?

Even if Russia’s hydrocarbons become worthless, Russia will still possess something which is always in demand in international relations — military might. Two decades from now, Russia will likely remain a formidable military player. Why not try and convert Russia’s military prowess as well as its pivotal geostrategic position into money? China could become the main customer, generously paying Russia to perform military missions Beijing is unwilling, or unable, to undertake on its own.

There are various ways Russia could serve as a mercenary for China. For example, Beijing could ask Moscow to amass Russian troops on the borders with the Baltic or Nordic countries to put the US on high alert in the European theatre and keep it this way as long as possible. Another creative option would involve Russian forces harassing Alaska which is just across the Bering Sea. Russian units could even be hired by China for expeditionary missions in places like the Middle East or Africa.

Russian private military companies’ activities in some of the world’s flashpoints may already offer a hint of what Moscow may be up to under the envisioned scenario. In a nutshell, Russia could become a giant military contractor — a twenty-first-century condottiero state, and a nuclear-armed one at that. A broke but still militarily strong and audacious country that does the bidding of a rich superpower — for remuneration. Sounds a bit medieval? Perhaps. But isn't it often said that global politics may be entering the New Middle Ages, marked by the ragtag multitude of players, brutal competition, and complex hierarchies?

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[Sardaukar20]

I think it may not be feasible, or wise for China to have Russia as its own Sheriff.

1) This goes against the concept of the multi-polar world order which both Russia and China have kinda de-facto agreed on.
2) Russia is not Australia, Japan, UK, etc. Those are impotent vassal states. Russia has lots of nukes, a relatively potent MIC, an active space program, and strong in R&D.
3) Russia has good reasons to be averse to formal alliances. They have had bad experiences with alliances. They have allied with: The 8 nations alliance during the Boxer Rebellion, Nazi Germany, Western Allies, Warsaw Pact, Arab Nationalists, and the early PRC. They even tried to ally with the US and European powers during the post Soviet-era. So they should be quite distrustful of alliances by now.
4) I'm doubtful that China has hegemonic ambitions like the US and the British Empire. China may want to establish some form of hegemony. But not the same 'world-domination' style as the Anglo-Saxons. It looks to be a more respectful one. Although only time will tell.

That's why Russia and China is calling this relationship a partnership, not an alliance. Alliances sometimes creates more animosity because it demands commitments. Should Russia declare war on the USA if China is attacked by the USA over Taiwan? Or should China declare war on NATO if Russia is attacked by them? Both don't want to be committed into that.

I think it's better for China and Russia to have this friendly partnership right now. They can do deals, push vetos through in the UN, and play info wars with the West. If a conflict do arise, with either one. Any military intervention should only be on an emergency basis. When there is an existential crisis for both. Kinda like how the US intervened in Europe in WW1 and WW2. When things in Europe get really desperate.

Though on the point of China hiring Russian PMCs. I think that is a fairly good idea. Afterall, much of China's BRI goes through Central Asia. China could hire Russian PMCs to keep its hands clean from diplomatically sticky situations. Such as hostage rescue in a foreign country. Or the elimination of dangerous terrorists in CIS territories. Russia too will be more than happy to kill the same terrorists who dare sneak around its own backyard.

 

[ansy1968]

Look at the role that Australia plays today, as America's geostrategic sheriff; first in to act as Washington's scout and advocate for WMD like inspectors into Wuhan and advocating and supplying troops and arms to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Australia acts as America's enforcer and takes on the role of implementing anti Chinese laws as a test bed, to gauge China's reaction before Washington implements those same laws. Australia is basically America's enforcer and right hand man.

In the future, could Russia also act as a similar most trusted lieutenant, albeit with much more powerful arms and heft to achieve China's geostrategic goals?

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@DarkStar Bro neither, Here is my take, its an understanding, I may term it as a Complementary relationship. China had the economic advantage but lack the finesse to use it effectively as it can't sent her messages across. Russia had the military might but lack the economic resource. Both needed each other, the Chinese will not treat the Russian as a junior partner cause its self defeating. They need the Russian involvement to make the BRI successful and the Russian is wise enough to ride on the Chinese coattails by merging its EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION with that of the RBI. Bro most of Central Asia country is part of the defunct Soviet Union, its part of Russia Sphere of Influence, So respect and accommodating Russian Interest is paramount.

Therefore I may see a division of labor, with Russia doing the heavy lifting in terms of diplomacy where China is weak with the Chinese doing the same, you see it in their diplomatic coordination in Afghanistan, Japan (regarding the Kurils) and Ukraine. I think in the future RT may give CGTN some guidance on how to run their propaganda and sent their messages across effectively ...lol

 

[BlackWindMnt]

@DarkStar Bro neither, Here is my take, its an understanding, I may term it as a Complementary relationship. China had the economic advantage but lack the finesse to use it effectively as it can't sent her messages across. Russia had the military might but lack the economic resource. Both needed each other, the Chinese will not treat the Russian as a junior partner cause its self defeating. They need the Russian involvement to make the BRI successful and the Russian is wise enough to ride on the Chinese coattails by merging its EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION with that of the RBI. Bro most of Central Asia country is part of the defunct Soviet Union, its part of Russia Sphere of Influence, So respect and accommodating Russian Interest is paramount.

Therefore I may see a division of labor, with Russia doing the heavy lifting in terms of diplomacy where China is weak with the Chinese doing the same, you see it in their diplomatic coordination in Afghanistan, Japan (regarding the Kurils) and Ukraine. I think in the future RT may give CGTN some guidance on how to run their propaganda and sent their messages across effectively ...lol

I still shudder with how bad CGTN is in propaganda, probably also more to do with cultural differences non native English speaking anchors or hosts. Maybe im just misjudging CGTN role in this maybe its not meant to be aimed at westerners more aimed at other parts of the world.

I see the symbiotic relationship at the moment between Russia and China as Russian carries the big stick and small carrot. While China carries the big carrot and choses to carry the small carrot.

Russia is also way better located as the bridge country in Eurasian spanning the whole horizontal area of Eurasia. Makes it logistically easier to just move west and east then downward to be present everywhere.

 

[ansy1968]

I still shudder with how bad CGTN is in propaganda, probably also more to do with cultural differences non native English speaking anchors or hosts. Maybe im just misjudging CGTN role in this maybe its not meant to be aimed at westerners more aimed at other parts of the world.

I see the symbiotic relationship at the moment between Russia and China as Russian carries the big stick and small carrot. While China carries the big carrot and choses to carry the small carrot.

Russia is also way better located as the bridge country in Eurasian spanning the whole horizontal area of Eurasia. Makes it logistically easier to just move west and east then downward to be present everywhere.

@BlackWindMnt right on bro, Biden killer comment is the greatest geopolitical gift EVER!!!!. EURASIA to the FAR EAST, that is a huge land mass and it give both of them a huge strategic depth, add in Iran WOAH!!!! the US and its allies of the willing will be hard press to contain it.

Regarding CGTN I like their programming but being nice is not enough cause whatever they do, they had been prejudged by the West. They need to follow RT and attack.

 

[BlackWindMnt]

@BlackWindMnt right on bro, Biden killer comment is the greatest geopolitical gift EVER!!!!. EURASIA to the FAR EAST, that is a huge land mass and it give both of them a huge strategic depth, add in Iran WOAH!!!! the US and its allies of the willing will be hard press to contain it.

Regarding CGTN I like their programming but being nice is not enough cause whatever they do, they had been prejudged by the West. They need to follow RT and attack.

CGTN has some cool content like the poverty alleviation documentary from last year. But having something nice once in a while is not enough when we get constant 24/7 anti china propaganda beamed into our heads here in the west.

Yeah I heard Russia has given the green light for Iran to join the SCO yesterday that all obstacles have been cleared. We will see halfway in September when the SCO summit takes place.

I think Russia and China's main objective should be removing US/western bases and lily pads out of Eurasia. Close the airspace for US military planes etc. Break the supply lines to their proxies and you will see how fast a cancer will starve without nutrition to take in.

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

You know, I'm jealous of people like Artyom Lukin. He gets the prestige and stature of being called a "professor" (Heavens know what contribution he's ever made to the sciences or humanities) and gets paid to navel-gaze and write third rate fanfiction.

 

[getready]

imo, China government will not treat Russia as a lieutenant or a junior in the relationship. China will treat others with respect and on equal terms unlike the US. And to be honest it's disrespectful and not really something that Russia will accept anyway. and I think relationship for time being won't likely be a full alliance, but it's at a high at the moment and there would be alot of opportunities for cooperation which is great.

 

[solarz]

Instead of wishing for China to act like America, look to China's history to see where its rise will lead.

 

[Phead128]

I am strongly against a formal treaty alliance with Russia.

a) Russian and Chinese strategic interests overlap in terms of multi-polarity and anti-hegemonism.
b) Russian and Chinese military collaboration is very strong and robust.
c) Russian and Chinese share many of the same interests as far as countering US imperialism in developing countries and themselves.

That's great, Russia and China should be "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership", but never a Formal Treaty Alliance. (See Sino-Soviet Split in height of Cold War and how 'anti-Americanism' and 'anti-imperialists' was an insufficient glue)

China should never get into a quagmire in Eastern Europe or Middle East to defend Russian sphere of influence, OR defend Russia from NATO invasion or get into Cold War 2.0 situation where it has to choose between West or Russia.