In the dynamic arena of global politics, Russia’s recent engagement with North Korea is not just a diplomatic gesture but strategic maneuver aimed at reshaping the balance of power.
An expert in international relations sheds light on how these strategic maneuvers reshape alliances and rivalries, setting the stage for a modern geopolitical contest reminiscent of the Cold War era.
Speaking with the Vaultz News, Dan Rakiya, an Expert in international relations and diplomacy, noted that the Russian President’s visit to North Korea is an attempt by Russia to challenge US hegemony, if not replace it entirely.
“Under [Vladimir] Putin, Russia has been regaining its latent strength, and so we are virtually seeing Russia competing with US across the globe,” he averred.
Rakiya pointed out that some scholars believe the world has returned to a new Cold War era, marked by intense competition between a more confident, assertive Russia and the traditional US hegemony.
He also highlighted China’s growing influence, suggesting that the US might be considered a “decaying power” due to its gradually diminishing power and prestige.
“And we’ve seen a downward slope in US influence vis a vis the rise of China. And Russia play a spoiler game. It’s in the middle equally competing, regaining some of its strengths,” he added.
According to Rakiya, North Korea stands to gain significantly from its recent agreement with Russia. This new alliance grants North Korea access to advanced military hardware and conventional weapons previously denied due to nuclear-related sanctions imposed by the Security Council.
Additionally, it provides access to aerospace technology and economic investments, despite Russia facing its own challenges due to sanctions related to Ukraine.
Rakiya mentioned that Russia and North Korea have a longstanding relationship, but the collapse of the Soviet Union created a vacuum that was exploited by China.
This new agreement, he said, is an opportunity for Russia to regain leverage and rebuild its former alliance with North Korea.
Also, Rakiya said that Putin’s decision to send weapons to North Korea is his mirror response to the Western arming of Ukraine.
However, he added that any arm shipment to North Korea will be in contravention of UN Security Council resolution and sanction that they previously endorsed by China and Russia.
Furthermore, He asserted that it isn’t surprising that South Korea is considering sending arms to Ukraine.
This, he claimed, was because any conventional weapon deployed to North Korea can increase the danger posed by North Korea.
“So South Korea reviewing its policy decision, will be in line with US allies reviewing their own defense policy due to the growing threat of China and North Korea, and they need to readjust or appraise their defense policy to meet what they consider to be their national security interest.
“So it’s not surprising that South Korea is trying to do that. But then when this happens that way, what would be the consequence for it? We can’t tell for now. It will be too early to call a shot, but time will tell.”
Dan Rakiya
World Division Exposed At Ukraine Peace Summit
Moreover, in his interview with the Vaultz News, the international relations and diplomacy Expert opined that the Ukraine peace summit rather exposed the division of the world.
He noted that it highlighted the division between the global south and the global north.
“Because if you look at it, key countries like, Saudi Arabia and a few of the developing countries that went refused to sign the final communique,” he stated.
He noted that without Russia and China at the summit, “you cannot have peace.”
“When these two actors are off the table, whatever you think, whatever you implement or you agree upon becomes impractical. It doesn’t lead to any peace. It will deepen the divide. And above all, it entrenched the divide and then sustain the hostility.
“So if it’s meant to be a gathering of world leaders, then it’s a success. If it’s meant to be a talk shop, then it’s a success. But as an attempt to find a lasting peace to the war in Ukraine, then, I’m afraid, it’s a disappointment.”
Dan Rakiya
“It’s a failure and it’s more or less an illusion,” he added.
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