Examining the Cracks and the Cement in the Sino-Russian Relationship

The Sino-Russian partnership continues to have underlying tensions, such as Russia's economic reliance on China and differing interests in the Arctic. While no new major tensions have emerged, these existing points of friction remain. The basis for cooperation between China and Russia has been strengthened by a hypothetical shift in U.S. foreign policy. A theoretical U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran has caused alarm in Moscow and Beijing, reinforcing their partnership against what they perceive as a return to an American regime change agenda.