The new Kremlin alliance

Synoeca reports on the relationships Russia is forging with China, Pakistan and Iran in a play to form a counterweight to US-led NATO.

This alignment is specifically geared toward confronting the US in a hotly contested market for geopolitical status in the middle east and to dictate economic trends concerning natural resources in the region.

Russia continues to provide support for Iran's developing nuclear program, and in return, there is no barking Persian dog in the Caucasus.

In Putin's defense, Russia has a much more important variable besides economics: left out in most discussions is that Tehran provides no support for Islamist insurgents in Russia's troubled Northern Caucasus. This is a result directly because of nuclear technology contracts between the two nations. The Kremlin however, may have to reassess its relationship with the Islamic republic should Tehran ever vary its strategy towards Islamic separatist movements on Russian territory. In addition, if Tehran were to achieve a nuclear weapons capability, Iran would represent a potential security threat on Russia's southern border. For this reason alone, Russia has made it a demand that all nuclear fuel would be sent back to Russia as a preventative measure.

In 2003, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made a notable visit to the Kremlin to meet with Putin, and the two countries have been building bridges ever since. Just this week, the Russian PM and Pakistani PM met, as this report highlights:

Russia will continue to provide all the necessary aid to Pakistan to tackle the effects of the earthquake, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov stated at a meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. Fradkov expressed his condolences in view of the disaster, which killed tens of thousands of residents. Fradkov pointed out that the two countries have a high potential to develop bilateral relations in various spheres. "We are satisfied with the revitalization of Russian-Pakistani political consultations, including those on a higher level," Fradkov stressed.

As indicated, and not surprisingly, Russia is participating in earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan.

With China, Russia shares the common goal of pushing against American power. Russia and China participated in joint military exercises just last August.

Russia delivers weaponry and nuclear technology to its axis partners while China possesses a large market for products offered by the Russian military and a need for energy resources Iran provides. Iran in the meantime, gives Russia and China more valuable trump cards: impact of the global market in oil and vast influence in the middle east. Something all three agree on as the number one element in combating the US's vast economy and regional dominance in the middle east.

I would add Russia also has had dealings for a long time with India. Russia will continue to develop that relationship, as the huge democracy that is India is itself a counterweight against Pakistan and China.

Last week Russia and India completed a joint military exercise, with new weapons systems, called Indra-2005.

According to RIA Novosti:

The Indra-2005 exercise that runs through October 19 also involves 1,600 Russian troops and five warships of the country's Pacific Fleet.

Also, from this report:

The exercises, with an anti-terror theme, will involve naval ships and airborne troops. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said late last month that a nuclear submarine and a group of Pacific Fleet ships had left for the Indian Ocean.

-----
linked to Mudville Gazette's Open Post