Allies, Partners, or Frenemies?

This episode outlines the global network sustaining both sides of the war in Ukraine, with NATO allies on one side and Russia with backing from China, Iran, and North Korea on the other, and how the limits and tensions within these alliances are shaping the war’s next phase and raising broader global security risks.

Host:

Gabrielle Sierra, Director of Podcasting, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

Guests:

Liana Fix, Senior Fellow for Europe, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

Joseph Torigian, Senior Fellow for Asia Studies, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

We discuss:

How the war in Ukraine has become a global conflict fueled by competing networks of allies and partners on both sides.

Why Ukraine’s survival depends on sustained military, financial, and intelligence support from the United States and NATO.

How Russia has built its own wartime coalition, relying on Iran for drones, North Korea for munitions, and China for economic backing.

Why the Russian alliance with China is driven more by shared opposition to Western power than true strategic alignment.

How cracks are emerging within both coalitions, from political fatigue in the West to quiet limits in China’s support for Russia.