Course Description

They are two of the world's largest nations, population total 1.6 billion. They have four million armed troops and enormous military equipment. One dominates Central Asia and parts of Eastern Europe, the other East Asia, and the South China Sea. The Russians supply the Chinese with precious minerals and metals, like copper and aluminum. The Chinese supply the Russians with critical manufactured items, like computer chips and machine parts. Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have pledged continuing friendship and an unbreakable alliance. In that spirit, Russian and Chinese naval forces have carried out joint-exercises in the East China Sea. Both Russia and China are led by dictators who face no term limits, and few, if any, restraints on their power. The lecturer will outline which paths Russia and China are likely to take.