The China-Russia partnership is a highly consequential geopolitical alignment driven by a shared goal of countering U.S. hegemony and reshaping the international order into a multipolar system. While not a formal alliance, this relationship is strengthened by Russia's increasing economic reliance on China following Western sanctions, which allows Beijing to leverage its influence. Policymakers should note that while the partnership projects deep solidarity (as seen in high-level summits), it remains complex and limited by mutual mistrust and competing strategic interests. This enduring alignment poses a significant challenge to U.S. interests and requires continued diplomatic vigilance.
Beyond Venezuela and Cuba: The U.S. Military’s Future Operations in the Western Hemisphere
English Summary
The U.S. military's future focus in the Western Hemisphere is shifting from great power competition to combating transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), drug trafficking, and narco-terrorism. This pivot is evidenced by recent threat assessments that prioritize illicit border actors over state rivals, leading to increased joint military operations and intelligence sharing with regional allies. Strategically, the U.S. will continue to deepen military cooperation through joint training and counter-cartel campaigns. However, the article cautions that sustained success requires coupling these security efforts with broader diplomatic and economic initiatives to address local concerns regarding sovereignty and human rights.
中文摘要
美國軍方在西半球的未來重點正從大國競爭轉向應對跨國犯罪組織（TCOs）、毒品走私和毒品恐怖主義。這一轉變體現在近期威脅評估中，將非法邊境行為者置於國家競爭對手之上，從而導致與區域盟友進行了更頻繁的聯合軍事行動和情報共享。從戰略角度來看，美國將透過聯合訓練和反卡特爾行動深化軍事合作。然而，本文警告指出，要實現持續的成功，必須將這些安全努力與更廣泛的外交和經濟倡議結合起來，以解決當地對於主權和人權的擔憂。
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