China and Russia have engaged in an increasing number of joint exercises in recent years. These drills aim to help them deter and, if necessary, defeat potential threats, such as Islamist terrorists trying to destabilize a Central Asian government, while at the same time reassuring their allies that Russia and China would protect them from such challenges. Furthermore, the exercises and other joint Russia-China military activities have a mutual reassurance function, informing Moscow and Beijing about the other's military potential and building mutual confidence about their friendly intentions toward one another. Finally, the joint exercises try to communicate to third parties, especially the United States, that Russia and China have a genuine security partnership and that it extends to cover Central Asia, a region of high priority concern for Moscow and Beijing, and possibly other areas, such as northeast Asia. Although the Sino-Russian partnership is limited in key respects, the United States should continue to monitor their defense relationship since it has the potential to become a more significant international security development.

Related products:

Non-International Armed Conflict in the Twenty-First Century is available here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-046-00284-3

Russia and the Caspian Sea: Projecting Power or Competing for Influence? can be found here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01125-7

Reforming U.S. Export Controls Reforms: Advancing U.S. Army Interests is available here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01181-8

Global Trends: Paradox of Progress is available here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/041-015-00329-1

The U.S.- India Relationship: Cross-Sector Collaboration to Promote Sustainable Development is available here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01121-4
About the Author: RICHARD WEITZ is Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Political-Military Analysis at the Hud-son Institute. His current research includes regional security developments relating to Europe, Eurasia, and East Asia, as well as U.S. foreign and defense policies. Dr. Weitz is also an expert at Wikistrat and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security. Before joining Hudson in 2005, he worked for shorter terms at the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Defense Science Board, Harvard University, and other research institutions, and the U.S. Depart-ment of Defense. Dr. Weitz has authored or edited several books and monographs, including Turkey's New Regional Security Role: Implications For The United States (2014); Rebuilding American Military Power in the Pacific: A 21st-Century Strategy (2013); Global Security Watch-China (2013); two volumes of National Security Case Studies (2012 and 2008); War and Governance: In-ternational Security in a Changing World Order (2011); The Russian Military Today and Tomorrow (2010); Global Security Watch-Russia (2009); China-Russia Security Re-lations (2008); Mismanaging Mayhem: How Washington Responds to Crisis (2008); The Reserve Policies of Nations: A Comparative Analysis (2007); and Revitalising U.S.-Russian Security Cooperation: Practical Measures (2005). Dr. Weitz holds a B.A. with Highest Honors in government from Harvard College, a M.Sc. in international relations from the London School of Economics, an M.Phil. in politics from the Oxford University, and a Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University.