In the post-Cold War era, many believed that the age of existential threats had passed. However, recent developments reveal the emergence of a new and formidable alliance that rivals any threat faced since World War II. This “new axis of evil,” consisting of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, represents a grave and multifaceted challenge to global security and the values of freedom, democracy, and human dignity.

As General Jack Keane recently warned, this coalition of authoritarian regimes poses the most significant danger to the West in decades. Their growing cooperation in military, economic, and strategic arenas is a deliberate effort to undermine the U.S.-led international order and replace it with a model where might makes right, and totalitarianism flourishes.

A Web of Dangerous Alliances

The alliances forming among these nations are not merely coincidental or ad hoc; they are calculated and mutually reinforcing.

1. Military Collaboration:
   • In Ukraine, North Korean troops are aiding Russian forces, while Iran supplies drones used to devastate Ukrainian cities. These actions not only prolong the war but embolden aggressors worldwide by demonstrating that brute force can succeed when authoritarian states work together.
   • Russia’s partnership with China in developing long-range attack drones reflects a covert but potent military synergy. The leaders of Russia and China have reaffirmed a “no-limits” partnership, coordinating strategies and projecting a united front against Western influence.
2. Regional Dominance:
   • In the Middle East, Russia and Iran support Syria’s brutal dictator, Bashar al-Assad, propping up a regime responsible for countless atrocities. This partnership extends beyond Syria, with Iran and Russia preparing a comprehensive defense treaty that will further destabilize the region.
3. Economic and Arctic Maneuvering:
   • China and Russia are expanding their activities in the Arctic, a region rich in resources and critical for global trade routes. By dismissing U.S. warnings and collaborating on economic and military projects, they are establishing a foothold in a region crucial to Western interests.

Implications for the United States and the World

This alliance threatens to reshape the global balance of power in ways that undermine the United States’ leadership role and the principles of freedom.

• Erosion of U.S. Influence: By coordinating their efforts, these nations seek to challenge U.S. policies on multiple fronts, dividing attention and resources. From Ukraine to Taiwan, the U.S. faces simultaneous threats that strain its military and diplomatic capabilities.
• Destabilization of Alliances: This new axis exploits divisions within Western nations and institutions like NATO, the EU, and the UN. If the West does not remain united, these authoritarian regimes will pick apart its alliances and diminish its ability to respond effectively.
• Threat to Global Stability: These regimes export violence, whether through proxy wars, military aid to despots, or state-sponsored terrorism. Their actions destabilize regions, displace populations, and create humanitarian crises that ripple far beyond their borders.

A Path Forward for the United States

Faced with this challenge, the United States must respond decisively and strategically.

1. Reinforce Defense Capabilities:
   The U.S. must enhance its military readiness to deter aggression. This includes modernizing nuclear deterrence, expanding missile defense systems, and bolstering cyber warfare capabilities. We should also work closely with allies to establish a united front against these threats.
2. Strengthen Alliances:
   Partnerships with NATO, Japan, South Korea, and Israel must be deepened. The U.S. should lead efforts to coordinate military exercises, share intelligence, and create economic strategies that counterbalance the new axis of evil.
3. Economic Sanctions and Energy Independence:
   Sanctions should target not only individual nations but also their collaborative efforts, such as joint ventures in technology and resource extraction. At the same time, the U.S. must achieve energy independence and support allies in reducing reliance on adversarial nations for critical resources.
4. Expose and Counter Propaganda:
   These regimes wield propaganda to justify their actions and sow discord in democracies. The U.S. must counter these narratives with truth, using tools like Radio Free Asia, Voice of America, and social media campaigns to highlight the atrocities and corruption of these regimes.
5. Support Freedom Movements:
   Whether it’s the oppressed people of Iran, North Korea, or even dissenters within Russia and China, the U.S. must champion the cause of freedom. This includes providing funding, technology, and moral support to those fighting for liberty.

A Biblical Perspective

As Christians, we are called to stand for truth and righteousness. Proverbs 21:15 reminds us, “It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.” This new axis of evil represents the epitome of iniquity—oppressing the weak, waging unjust wars, and defying God’s standards of justice.

The United States has a responsibility, not only as a global leader but as a nation founded on biblical principles, to confront this darkness. We must balance strength with compassion, ensuring our actions are guided by wisdom and humility.

Conclusion

The new axis of evil—China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—is a direct threat to global stability and the values that the United States holds dear. While the challenge is formidable, it is not insurmountable. Through vigilance, unity, and faith, the United States can counter this threat and continue to be a beacon of hope and freedom in an increasingly dark world. Let us pray for wisdom and strength as we face this pivotal moment in history.