20200414 Russia-China Cooperation: Is it real or just fantasy?

When: 14 April, 2020 at 1500CEST/0900EST

Where: Zoom Webinar

Connection Instructions: Use the above registration link to register through Zoom. Webinar can be viewed either through the downloaded software (non-government computer), in the browser through Chrome (government computer), or though apps for both Android and Apple platforms.

Format: Panelists will present, combined, for 30 minutes followed by 30 minutes of Q&A

Presentation Summary

Since 2014, Russia and China have worked to develop a strategic partnership, primarily in the realm of enhanced military cooperation, including sales of advanced military equipment and an increasingly robust program of bilateral and multi-lateral military exercises. Economic and diplomatic cooperation have also increased, though to a much lesser extent. While Russian-Chinese cooperation has become more than a transactional relationship, it is unlikely to transform into a military alliance. Indeed such an alliance is not desired by either actor. However, the emerging entente is of significance to U.S. interests, allies, and partners, with consequences for planning and strategy. Furthermore, Russian-Chinese defense cooperation continues to increase, and a misplaced focus in Western analytical circles on tactical-level exercises often misses the important changes taking place on the defense side of the relationship.

Dmitry Gorenburg, Ph.D.

Center for Naval Analyses

Senior Research Scientist

Expertise: Foreign Militaries, Foreign Policy, Russia, Europe

Dmitry Gorenburg is an expert on security issues in the former Soviet Union, Russian military reform, Russian foreign policy, and ethnic politics and identity. His recent research topics include decision-making processes in the senior Russian leadership, Russian naval strategy in the Pacific and the Black Sea, and Russian maritime defense doctrine.

Gorenburg is author of "Nationalism for the Masses: Minority Ethnic Mobilization in the Russian Federation" (Cambridge University Press, 2003), and has been published in journals such as World Politics and Post-Soviet Affairs. In addition to his role at CNA, he currently serves as editor of Problems of Post-Communism and is an Associate of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University. From 2009 to 2016, he edited the journal Russian Politics and Law.

Gorenburg previously served as Executive Director of the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES). He received a B.A. in international relations from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University. He blogs on issues related to the Russian military at Russian Military Reform. He is a native Russian speaker.

Michael Kofman

Center for Naval Analyses

Senior Research Scientist

Expertise: Foreign Militaries, Foreign Policy, Russia, Europe

Michael Kofman serves as Director of the Russia Studies Program at the CNA Corporation and a Fellow at the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington, D.C. His research focuses on the Russia and the former Soviet Union, specializing in the Russian armed forces, Russian military thought, and strategy. Previously he served at National Defense University as a Program Manager, and subject matter expert, advising senior military and government officials on issues in Russia and Eurasia. Mr. Kofman's other affiliations include being a Senior Editor at War on the Rocks, where he regularly authors articles on strategy, the Russian military, Russian decision making and related foreign policy issues.

Mr. Kofman has published numerous articles on the Russian armed forces, security issues in Russia/Eurasia, along with analyses for the U.S. government. He holds a M.A. in International Security from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University and a B.A. in Political Science from Northeastern University.

Post-Meeting Webinar Link

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