CRINK–The Alliance in Making

Musavir Hameed

The growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia have once again impacted global politics and intensified by the U.S. authorization to Ukraine for using American-made long-range missiles against Russia. This comes after the backdrop of the formation of a new geopolitical bloc the CRINK—which is an informal alliance comprising China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Tagged by some as the “new Axis of Evil,” CRINK appears to provide Moscow with considerable support to continue its war in Ukraine.

CRINK- The informal alliance of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea seeks to challenge Western dominance and reshape global order

The phrase “Axis of Evil” was first introduced in the State of the Union address of President George W. Bush in 2002 to describe Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. It was later extended by the former National Security Advisor John Bolton adding Cuba, Libya, and Syria to the list, becoming the cornerstone of the U.S. foreign policy discourse during the era of President Bush. Recently, the phrase has regained importance, Nikki Haley, a former cabinet member in the Initial term of Donald Trump emphasized the need to counteract the “new Axis of Evil.”

This attention stems from the intensification of the Russia-Ukraine war, now entering its third year. Ukraine has befittingly responded, hitting Moscow’s strategic assets within its borders. According to some reports, the U.S. has given the green light to the use of long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia—a significant escalation. In return Moscow updated its nuclear doctrine, warning that any attack from a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear state would authorize a nuclear response.

Similarly, in response to the Western alliance supporting Kyiv, Russia has turned to its like-minded allies. The informal CRINK alliance replicates the coordinated joint efforts to challenge Western hegemony.

The U.S. authorization for Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russia marks a significant escalation in the war.

China has positioned itself as Russia’s foremost ally in this bloc. Over the years, Beijing and Moscow have cultivated a strong strategic partnership, with a vision of reshaping the global order and challenging the U.S.-governed liberal international system. Apart from Ukraine, their cooperation extends to Taiwan and other crucial geopolitical flashpoints. While China has abstained from overt military support, its economic and diplomatic support has bolstered Russia’s confidence against Western sanctions.

Russia’s increasing partnership with Iran has also brought it into the limelight. Recently, at the BRICS summit, in Russia, Moscow and Tehran finalized negotiations for a 20-year comprehensive partnership agreement. Despite the strict sanctions, the two nations have significantly enhanced their military cooperation.

Iran has given hundreds of Shahed drones to Russia, provided the basic skillset to operate the drones, and agreed to mutually develop a drone manufacturing facility within Russian territory. The following events give credence to the fact that relations are greatly improving. to a large extent and underscore their commitment to mutually support each other amid growing international isolation on the hand of US US-led western block.

North Korea, one of the key partners signed a strategic comprehensive partnership with Russia. Following a high-profile consultation between the leadership of North Korea and Russia in June 2024, both states agreed on mutual military support in case of aggression from a hostile country. As per this agreement, North Korea will deploy more than 10,000 troops to help Russia recapture the Kursk region which was already lost to Ukrainian forces. In return, the North Korean Premier eyed more sophisticated technologies from Russia.

Iran has supplied Shahed drones to Russia, with plans for a joint drone manufacturing facility to enhance military cooperation.

For Pakistan, this complex geopolitical landscape of taking sides raises a significant challenge. On one side, Islamabad enjoys cordial bilateral ties with Beijing, predominantly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and on the other side, Islamabad has refined its transactional relations with Western nations, making it important to avoid putting all eggs in one basket by aligning too closely with either bloc.

Pakistan’s foreign policy should be centered on upholding strategic neutrality, utilizing its pivotal strategic position to foster dialogue between competing powers. As Pakistan did in the 1970s between China and the US through Ping Pong diplomacy.

To summarize, the formation of CRINK will cause a potential threat to the West’s global dominance. China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are pushed to join hands by their shared grievances against the U.S.-led sanctions and policies, all of them are committed to mitigating the Western hegemony.

Pakistan must navigate this evolving landscape with strategic neutrality, avoiding over-alignment with any bloc.

Apparently, this alliance lacks the organizational structure of formal blocs like NATO, its presence demonstrates the shifting power dynamics in global politics in its favor. The world is leading towards the rise of a multipolar order, with authoritarian systems having alliances to combat liberal democracies.

The author is currently serving as Research Officer at Balochistan Think Tank Network, Quetta and can be reached at musavirkhan88@gmail.com