A seismic shift is steadily taking place in world affairs as the major Asian countries strengthen their political, economic and military relations creating the potential for a counterbalance to unfettered US military power, of the sort that has not existed since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1990.
The first ever joint military manoeuvres have recently concluded on the territory of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China. During the course of these manoeuvres Russia displayed some of its most recent and sophisticated weaponry showing that despite its difficulties the Russian Federation has kept up-to-date with its military hardware. Some will almost certainly be sold to China to help modernise the Chinese armed forces.
It has now been announced that Russia and India are to hold their largest-ever military manoeuvres in October and that another round of Russia-China military manoeuvres are being considered for next year.
The political framework for these developments was the formation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) which was initially made up of Russia, China and four of the former Asian republics of the Soviet Union. It was originally formed to iron-out border disputes between the states but has now blossomed into an organisation dealing with other political, trade and military matters.
Of great significance is the fact that India, Pakistan, Iran and Mongolia are expected to join the Shanghai group with observer status.
Despite the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has remained India’s closest military partner with much of the weaponry used by the Indian Army having been supplied by Russia.
The India Daily, quoting a high-ranking Russian Defense Ministry source, has announced that Russia, China and India may conduct the "biggest ever military exercise" in 2006. The Russian source is quoted as saying that "One cannot rule out that by next year the SCO countries, including those who have the status of observer, may join Russia and China for joint exercises. It would be good for Russia, India and China to stage joint exercises."
Several of the former southern republics of the Soviet Union initially made agreements with the United States to provide military and air bases on their territory, allegedly for the war in Afghanistan. But now both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have told the US to get out and this has been supported by Russia and China who do not accept US interference and military encirclement.
An Uzbek Senator said the government had spent $168 million in building infrastructure to support the US base but had received no financial compensation for the expenditures from the United States. The government is now demanding compensation.
Speaking of the US another Uzbek Senator said that "A man with two faces cannot be a friend of Uzbekistan".
This emerging bloc of nations is not only built on military power and cooperation but on the steadily growing economic might of China, India and to a lesser extent, Russia. Their economies are growing at a rapid pace, their exports to other countries are massive, their imports of raw materials are huge and oil agreements and the necessary oil and gas pipelines between the countries in the region are being constructed.
None of this is to the liking of the United States which has seen itself as the all-powerful, single superpower following the break-up of the Soviet Union. However, there is little that the US can do about it having become bogged down in Iraq where it is frittering away its military and economic resources with President Bush meeting growing opposition at home as well as abroad.
Another major area giving the United States’ leaders a headache is South America where they have failed to crush the Cuban revolution which has now been joined by Venezuela and other countries on the continent that are also stepping out on the path of democratic and economic reforms benefiting the people of their countries.
All these developments are resulting in the rebirth of a multi-polar world which will be warmly welcomed by millions in many nations who feared the emergence of a single US super-power that attempts to force its dictates on other countries by bullying, economic pressure and military occupation.
