Russia’s influence once stretched from the edge of Western Europe to the battlefields of Vietnam. Surpassed economically by the West and China, Russian foreign policy sees opportunity in Southeast Asia to restore its global reach.

Relations will not move toward a military alliance because, at the core, is a shared understanding forged through many strategic interactions. The two countries share similar basic judgments about international relations and U.S. influence.

The United States wants to alienate the two countries. Russia will not fully pivot to China, but it hopes to walk a fine line to maximize its interests. With the help of Europe, the U.S. may be able to prevent Russia from undermining the grand strategy of containing China.

The Biden administration seems to be tougher than Trump on Russia, yet Vladimir Putin seems unyielding. Clearly, the Americans must take Russia into account in dealing with China, but the U.S. and China have different mindsets, and things play out differently on each side.

U.S. core national interests are defined by the new administration as safeguarding American strength, promoting power sharing to U.S. advantage and upholding a stable and open international system.

What drove the U.S.-China rapprochement was a common desire to counter the strategic expansionism of the Soviet Union. And the Taiwan issue has since remained a constant irritant in the Sino-American relationship.

Russia has repeatedly rebuffed efforts by the U.S. secretary of state to enlist Russia in a scheme to constrain China. This futile exercise that only reveals Pompeo’s political greed and leads him to ignore reality.

Starting in the Obama era, America has reshaped its relationships. Now the emphasis is primarily on China, with policy driving at Cold War-style containment.

Energy, agriculture and education all have great potential to draw the neighbors closer. But don’t expect them to become conventional allies.

A joint early-warning system throws a curveball at the United States and the global military order.