TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
No Result
View All Result
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

Both US and Russia leaving Open Skies treaty in quick succession means that they have recognized China as the common enemy

Akshay Narang by Akshay Narang
January 18, 2021
in Indo-Pacific
Xi Jinping, China, Russia, Putin, USA, Trump, Open Skies Treaty
Share on FacebookShare on X

Last year, when US President Donald Trump decided to scrap the Open Skies Treaty, we had predicted that the surprising move was aimed at China, and not Russia. Now, in a strong vindication of our analysis, Moscow too has decided to withdraw from the 1992 treaty.

It is almost as if the White House and the Kremlin decided to exit the key treaty in a coordinated manner. And even if not coordinated as such, the withdrawal of the two military giants, at least, seems like a reflex move in response to the emerging threat in the form of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Also Read

Zelenskyy Giggles at the Mention of ‘Druzhba’, Hungarian Foreign Minister Retaliates ‘Stop Attacking Hungary’s Energy Security, this is Not Our War’

China Slams Australia as “US Tool” After Hosting Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile. Is Australia Canberra the New Frontline in the US-China Missile Standoff?

“If you don’t like it, don’t buy it,” India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar’s strong message to the US and EU, defending buying Russian oil, days before the Trump tariff deadline for India

So, here is the real deal- the Open Skies Treaty is designed to allow mutual understanding and confidence by giving all countries an equal opportunity to gather information about military activities in other member countries. The essence of the treaty is to avoid the risk of serious military miscalculations that can lead to war.

In fact, the 1992 Treaty allows member countries to fly unarmed aerial surveillance flights over the territories of other participants. So, Russia could examine American build-up and vice versa.

But what about China? The Communist nation never joined the Open Skies Treaty. So, it was a win-win game for China. The US and Russia kept containing each other and doing China’s job. But there were no drones, cameras or surveillance over China’s skies.

So, China could keep amassing military assets. It could keep manufacturing and testing as many nuclear warheads as it wanted to. Since Beijing is not a party to the 1992 Treaty, it has practically no check on its military firepower.

And the arrangement actually helped China. Look at how China has amassed nuclear power. According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a US-based nonpartisan and nonprofit organisation, “China closely guards information about its nuclear arsenal, making estimation unusually difficult. However, China has approximately 290 nuclear warheads.”

Beijing’s future plans are even more dangerous. Editor of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mouthpiece Global Times Hu Xijin too has gone as far as propounding that China should “expand the number of its nuclear warheads to 1,000 in a relatively short time.”

Xijin also called for having “at least” 100 Dongfeng-41 strategic missiles. The Dongfeng-41, a Chinese road-mobile Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), is estimated to have a range of 12,000-15,000 kilometres with strike capacity extending up to the Continental United States.

Beijing’s warheads are pointed against both Russia and the US. China is competing against the US for strategic interests in the Western Pacific. At the same time, the paper Dragon also wants to weigh down Russia in the Arctic and the Russian Far East.

So, China is quite clearly emerging as a common enemy for Russia and the US. In this context, it makes sense for Washington and Moscow to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty. The US and Russia are no longer ready to contain each other and let a third power become too big to control.

As such, successive American and Russian withdrawals from the 1992 Treaty, mean that the two military giants have recognised China as their common enemy.

Tags: ChinaOpen Skies TreatyPutinRussiaShort takesTrumpUSAXi Jinping
ShareTweetSend
Akshay Narang

Akshay Narang

Patriot, Political Analyst, International Relations expert

Also Read

India to have its own "Iron Dome": PM Modi Launches Mission "Sudarshan Chakra"

India to have its own “Iron Dome”: PM Modi Launches Mission “Sudarshan Chakra” in response to Missile and Nuclear Threats from Neighboring countries 

August 15, 2025
Japan Eyes Turkish and Israeli Drones to Counter China’s Military Moves in Indo-Pacific

Japan Eyes Turkish and Israeli Drones to Counter China’s Military Moves in Indo-Pacific

August 14, 2025
North Korea says 11-day U.S.-South Korea Military exercise is "A Direct Provocation," Warns of Strong Countermeasures Amid Signs of Easing Tensions with South Korea. 

North Korea says 11-day U.S.-South Korea Military exercise is “A Direct Provocation,” Warns of Strong Countermeasures Amid Signs of Easing Tensions with South Korea 

August 11, 2025
Putin To Visit India: Will This be BRICS Joint Response Against Trump Tariff War?

Putin To Visit India: Will This be BRICS Joint Response Against Trump’s Tariff War?

August 7, 2025
China’s Next Five-Year Plan and What It Means for the Changing World Order?

China’s Next Five-Year Plan and What It Means for the Changing World Order?

July 31, 2025
Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Unconditional Ceasefire After Deadly Border Clashes

NOT TRUMP! Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Unconditional Ceasefire Hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister After Deadly Border Clashes 

July 28, 2025
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobalTFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • TFIPOST – English
  • TFIPOST हिन्दी
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.