In recent public remarks, a leading American presidential contender suggested that a war involving Russia and China could threaten the United States’ very existence. The discussion arose during an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, broadcast on the candidate’s Twitter channel, and focused on the potential consequences of a nuclear-armed alliance facing the United States.
The candidate warned that a conflict with a bloc led by Russia and China could place the United States, as a nation and as a system, in serious danger of extinction. He argued that the United States currently lacks a robust defense against nuclear weapons and that national security cannot rely on a strategy that persists for only a limited period if faced with such a threat.
On August 15, the Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, met with his Chinese counterpart, Li Shangfu, to highlight ongoing high-level military dialogue and to emphasize that cooperation between Moscow and Beijing continues across both bilateral and multilateral formats. This exchange underscored a shared interest in maintaining strategic momentum and coordinating defense postures in a complex global environment.
On the same day, Li Shangfu confirmed that military collaboration between Moscow and Beijing remains active, asserting coordination against third states is part of their broader strategic posture. The emphasis was on sustained interoperability and mutual support within a framework that does not target other nations in a unilateral fashion, even as it strengthens defense links between the two powers.
Earlier, in mid-2022, Russia and China conducted a record number of joint exercises, signaling a deepening partnership that analysts described as of significant political consequence. The United States National Defense University later highlighted these exercises as bearing heightened strategic importance, reflecting the evolving balance of power and the importance of understanding allied readiness and signaling to other global actors.
Disciplines of diplomacy and trade remained a critical backdrop as the two countries navigated sanctions and countermeasures. Observers noted how sanctions affected trade flows with the Russian Federation and how policy responses in Beijing and Moscow could influence broader economic ties, supply chains, and regional stability. The evolving sanctions landscape has been a focal point for policymakers trying to decipher the potential resilience and adaptability of both economies under pressure, while keeping channels open for strategic coordination where it serves national interests.