Within this framework, experts argue that Europe is merely one of three theaters of military operations, not the main one. The primary goal is to free up U.S. resources to counter China in the Indo-Pacific region. Therefore, European countries need to independently ensure the defense of NATO's eastern flank.
Photo Council on Geostrategy
The document also emphasizes that the West is creating a global "perimeter of containment" around the CRINK bloc, which includes China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The United Kingdom, in turn, aims to integrate its military bases and expeditionary forces into a strategic chain of military presence extending from the Arctic to the Indo-Pacific region, acting in concert with the U.S. and AUKUS allies.
AUKUS is a trilateral alliance between the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Australia, established to strengthen the West's military position in the Indo-Pacific region and counter China.
Particular attention in the analysis is given to Russia's role. Analysts suggest that Moscow may be attempted to be extracted from the CRINK bloc through negotiations or prolonged economic pressure, including control over maritime routes and restrictions on the so-called shadow fleet.
If Russia leaves this bloc, as stated in the analysis, pressure on China will increase, and U.S. strategies may resemble the model of containing the USSR during the Cold War—without direct military confrontations, but with rising economic and military costs.
