Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea strategic alignment

Russia, China, and Iran have begun coordinating a new phase of Eurasian integration through the ‘RIC triangle’. Utilizing their memberships in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, these nations are working to establish a new international order by targeting key economic and maritime sectors. Efforts include leveraging Iran’s influence in the Strait of Hormuz, challenging the SWIFT system, and promoting the A7 international payment system to bypass U.S., UK, and EU sanctions and undermine petrodollar dominance.

This strategic alignment has expanded to include North Korea, forming a network of partnerships focused on 21st-century warfare and strategic competition. While not a formal alliance, these nations engage in the exchange of weapons, targeting data, production expertise, and methods for evading international sanctions. China provides central diplomatic, economic, and financial support, while Russia relies on these partners to sustain military efforts and mitigate the impact of international condemnation following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.