WASHINGTON – With just weeks remaining before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, President Joe Biden is urging U.S. national security agencies to devise new strategies to address growing cooperation among Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China, senior U.S. officials said.
In a national security memorandum issued on Dec. 10, Biden highlighted the evolving dynamics of these alliances. The document, described to reporters in general terms but not independently reviewed, outlines concerns about coordinated efforts among the four nations that could challenge U.S. and allied interests across Europe and Asia.
Emerging Alliances and Threats
The memorandum details exchanges between the countries, such as Iran supplying aid to Russia’s war in Ukraine in return for fighter jets, missile defense systems, and space technology. It also notes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s provision of fuel, financial aid, and recognition of North Korea as a de facto nuclear state.
Additionally, Russia and China have intensified their military collaboration, including joint patrols in the Arctic, a region of growing geopolitical importance.
The administration’s assessment underscores the risks of these alliances but also notes limitations to their cooperation. For example, the memo highlights Russia and Iran’s failure to assist their ally, former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was recently ousted.
Strategic Restructuring
The new document orders U.S. government agencies to reorganize their efforts, shifting from region-specific groups to task forces focused on cross-cutting issues involving the four nations. The goal is to improve coordination of sanctions, export controls, and crisis management across multiple fronts.
The initiative aims to provide a framework for the incoming Trump administration and Congress. “When the new team sort of looks at it, I don’t think they will see anything in it that is trying to box them in or tilt them towards one policy option or another,” a senior official said.
Challenges and Opportunities
Biden’s administration acknowledges the complexity of applying sanctions or export controls without triggering retaliation from adversaries. Additionally, the strategy seeks to address simultaneous crises involving these nations, such as reports of North Korean troops serving in Russia.
While the document identifies closer collaboration among the four nations, officials emphasize the potential strains within the group. “This realignment raises for China the question about what kind of future it wants to see and if it really wants to be all-in with this grouping,” an official noted.
The policies outlined in Biden’s memorandum could either be adopted or disregarded by the Trump administration, which will take office on Jan. 20. Officials involved in drafting the strategy hope it offers “new options” for the next administration to effectively address the challenges posed by this coalition of adversaries.