With a Little Help From My Friends: What Russia and North Korea’s Defense Treaty Tells Us About Global China

Russian President Vladimir Putin stands beside North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un at the airport in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024. Gavriil GRIGOROV / POOL / AFP

By Felix Brender 王哲謙

We all know matchmaking between two wildcards in your circle can be a bit of a gamble. It’s like introducing two sparks and hoping they ignite a friendly bonfire without starting a blaze that burns down the whole neighborhood. More importantly, perhaps, you want them to hit it off, but not so well that they form an unbeatable tag team that leaves you on the sidelines.

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