Caffeinated Politics

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed their nations’ partnership during a two-day summit. They were linked rhetorically and with broad policy goals as they will use combined energy to undermine Western institutions and values. The chemistry between those leaders was much different from how Xi and Trump interacted at their summit. (As a side note, the main network’s evening news coverage of the summit was minuscule or non-existent. After all, they had film footage of an SUV slipping into a sinkhole.)

What is disturbing is that Russia and China are tightening their strategic embrace by furthering a coordinated challenge to Western influence through a strong effort at reshaping the global balance of power. While the Trump Administration is bogged down in a war of its own creation in Iran and not meeting the international test of leadership in Ukraine, the despots of the world are taking notice.

The statements that resulted from the summit give allowance for authoritarian governance. Their joint declarations framed global politics in ideological terms, positioning themselves as defenders of “sovereign equality” and “non‑interference”—principles they selectively apply, especially when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is involved. China’s refusal to acknowledge the violation of Ukraine’s borders in its absurd diplomatic language underscores how this growing partnership erodes the norms that underpin European security. And international law.

Economically, China has become indispensable to Russia since the full‑scale invasion of Ukraine. Beijing supplies critical industrial parts that help Russia sustain its war machine despite Western sanctions. Hence, this undermines NATO’s efforts to contain Russian aggression. As Henry Kissinger might argue, we should ponder the larger consequences of this relationship. Russia is growing more dependent on China, as that nation then leverages the partnership to expand its own geopolitical reach. Every action is calculated for a reaction.

The shared goal for Russia and China is to weaken American leadership, fracture and splinter NATO unity, and then underscore in their press paralysis across the democratic world. Not only is power being attacked by these tyrants, but also Western values. By supporting Russia’s illegal war, refusing to uphold basic principles of international law regarding sovereignty, and promoting alternative governance models, China and Russia are working to normalize authoritarianism on the world stage. Instead of a strong, resolute, and principled leader in the White House driving back a series of policies and goals that would strengthen the Western foundation, we have Trump, who admires authoritarian leadership.

Together, Moscow and Beijing are rewriting the rules. All but openly daring the West to stop them. They have an agenda to forge a new world order. Without the U.S. in charge.

Meanwhile……