While the US alliance system is splintering, another team has been forming. It has received scant attention so far. It goes by the acronym CRINKs – China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. The four were grouped under the name CRINKs nine years ago because of their shared goal of challenging the US-led order. Their co-operation is today intensifying on the battlefields of Ukraine and Iran.
USSC Director of Foreign Policy and Defence Dr Lavina Lee spoke with The Sydney Morning Herald on collaborative nature of the group, saying the CRINK will continue to aid Iran “even if there’s a ceasefire. China, Russia and North Korea will use any ceasefire to help Iran rebuild its missile and drone capability. We are definitely going to hear more about the CRINKs; I don’t think this is over.”