https://www.scmp.com/rss/512178/feed Bruce Elleman is William V. Pratt Professor of International History at the US Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. The opinions expressed in this article are strictly his own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US government, US Navy, or US Naval War College. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Russian President Vladimir Putin’s preoccupation with his country’s invasion of Ukraine is allowing China to dabble in areas once solidly in Moscow’s sphere of interest. Recent diplomatic breakthroughs with regard to Ukraine, Gaza and Afghanistan show Beijing trying to fill this widening political vacuum, even as Putin focuses all his dwindling assets on defeating Ukraine. Such temptations could precipitate Chinese overextension. First, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s visit to... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3272346/why-aspiring-naval-power-china-focusing-central-asia-and-middle-east?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3272346/why-aspiring-naval-power-china-focusing-central-asia-and-middle-east?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Jul 2024 21:30:08 +0000 Back in February, President Xi Jinping may have thought that, no matter which way the Russian-Ukrainian war went down, China would come out ahead. If the invasion succeeded, it would be a blow to Nato and the American-led global order; if it failed, it would be an even bigger blow to Russia, drawing it closer to Beijing. But Xi may be getting more than he bargained for. Russia’s war in Ukraine is far from over. It could go on for months, even years. Oil and gas shortages in Europe could trigger... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3193067/how-russias-war-ukraine-increases-threat-chinas-border-and-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3193067/how-russias-war-ukraine-increases-threat-chinas-border-and-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Sep 2022 19:30:09 +0000 China is facing a monumental decision right now: whether to help Russia or not. On March 18, US President Joe Biden described to Chinese President Xi Jinping the “implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia” at this time. To assist Russian President Vladimir Putin in dominating Ukraine might further China’s land-power interests, but it could also destroy China’s transition to one of the world’s newest sea powers, including becoming perhaps the most important member... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3171430/chinas-russia-dilemma-also-land-vs-sea-power-predicament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3171430/chinas-russia-dilemma-also-land-vs-sea-power-predicament?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Mar 2022 01:15:11 +0000