Jia Qingguo, Peking University

Igor Khrestin, George W. Bush Institute

Randall Schriver, Institute for Indo-Pacific Security

Panel Description:

A new axis of authoritarian powers, China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, is reshaping the global security landscape. These states, though diverse in geography and capabilities, are increasingly aligned in challenging the rules-based order. From Russia’s war in Ukraine to Iran’s regional destabilization, China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, and North Korea’s advancing nuclear program, their cooperation amplifies risks across multiple theatres. This session will explore the strategic implications of CRINK, assess how allies can respond to this coordination, and consider how alliances must adapt to counter a more interconnected and emboldened network of authoritarian regimes.