China, Russia, Iran, North Korea form ‘axis of aggressors,’ report warns
China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are increasingly operating as a strategically aligned bloc capable of stretching United States military resources by creating multiple simultaneous security crises, according to a new report by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).
The report, titled Axis of Aggressors: Countering the Cooperation of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, argues that although the four countries do not have a NATO-style alliance or mutual defence pact, their growing cooperation across military, economic, cyber and technology sectors poses a significant challenge to U.S. national security.
Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, one of the report’s authors, said recent conflicts demonstrate how the four nations increasingly support one another. He cited North Korea’s supply of ammunition and troops to Russia, Iran’s provision of drones and production expertise, and China’s economic and technological backing for Moscow.
Researchers documented 616 instances of security cooperation among the four governments between January 2019 and December 2025, including arms transfers, joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, weapons development and military exchanges.
The report identifies what it calls the “simultaneity problem” as the greatest threat facing the United States. Montgomery warned that Washington could struggle to respond effectively if conflicts erupted at the same time in regions such as Taiwan, the Korean Peninsula, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
According to the report, China and Russia have developed the most significant bilateral partnership, with Beijing providing economic support and dual-use technology that helps sustain Russia’s defence industry, while Moscow shares military technology and battlefield experience that could benefit China in a future conflict.
The report also says North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery rounds, ballistic missiles and troops, while Iran has provided drones and related production technology. It warns that Russian and Chinese assistance could also help Iran rebuild military capabilities damaged in recent conflicts.
Co-author Elaine Dezenski said the four countries are linked largely by economic necessity rather than mutual trust. She noted that China purchases large volumes of discounted Russian and Iranian energy while providing technology, manufactured goods and access to its domestic market, helping sustain economies affected by Western sanctions.
The report further warns that China, Russia and Iran are expanding alternative international payment systems that reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar, potentially weakening the effectiveness of Western sanctions. It also highlights growing cooperation between state-backed cyber actors and criminal hacking groups across the four countries.
The authors recommend that the United States strengthen coordination with allies, expand defence production, increase protection of critical infrastructure and tighten enforcement of sanctions, particularly against networks facilitating Russian and Iranian oil exports. They argue that Washington must begin treating the four nations as a coordinated strategic challenge rather than addressing each threat separately.
Credit: Fox News
