October 19, 2025

Russia and China in the Great Strategic Triangle

Key Points

The confrontation among the U.S., Russia, and China has heightened the significance of nuclear weapons and deterrence, indicating a pressing global concern.
A strategic triangle among the three powers has emerged, marked by an increasing arms race distinct from the Cold War dynamics.
Growing geopolitical competition has the potential to ignite serious conflicts between these nuclear powers, raising questions about global stability.
Efforts to contain this escalating arms race may face immense challenges, posing risks to international peace and security.

Abstract

The current NATO-Russia confrontation over Ukraine and the intensifying geopolitical competition between China and the U.S. are increasing the importance of nuclear weapons and nuclear deterrence, especially for the three great powers: Russia, China, and the U.S. Their policies have led to the formation of a Great Strategic Triangle, which contains an accelerating strategic (nuclear) arms race that fundamentally differs from that of the Cold War, may trigger serious conflicts between the players, and may be extremely difficult to stop.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper