The once-powerful 'Axis of Authoritarians' is facing a critical juncture, raising questions about its future and the new world order it represents.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, a key figure in this axis, has maintained a surprising silence. Despite considering Venezuela as a client state, he offered only a perfunctory response to the US operation against President Maduro. Similarly, after years of support, Putin allowed the Syrian regime to collapse, with dictator Bashar al-Assad now in exile in Moscow.
Iran, another pillar of this axis, has also seen a lack of support from Putin. Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei's regime, considered one of the four key players, has received little more than a terse statement from Putin. This is a stark contrast to the axis' usual coordination to disrupt the global rules-based order.
Chairman Xi Jinping of China, another powerful figure in this axis, also seems distracted. While he emphasizes sovereignty, he only does so when it suits his interests. With Beijing on the brink of invading Taiwan, the fate of allies in Tehran is a low priority.
Enter US President Donald Trump, an unpredictable force. His actions are upending global expectations and unbalancing established axes. Analysts from the Brookings Institution argue that those who believe in alliances and global institutions hope that Trump's approach is not permanent.
President Putin's focus may be elsewhere, as his invasion of Ukraine has dragged on longer than the Soviet Union's war against Nazi Germany. Russia's economy is suffering, and finding fresh troops is becoming increasingly challenging. Tehran and Beijing have not provided the support Putin hoped for, and Russia's position on the world stage is weaker than it has been in decades.
Putin is now hoping that his friend, President Trump, will rescue him from this precarious situation. Trump's adoption of a similar playbook to the Kremlin's has left the Russian system reluctant to criticize the US openly.
The Trump administration's actions have effectively taken the wind out of the Kremlin's sails. By voluntarily retreating from its role as the dominant superpower, the US has embraced a vision of a multipolar world, aligning with Russia and China's perspectives. This has been welcomed by Russia, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov describing it as consistent with Moscow's view.
Trump's Chief-of-Staff, Steven Miller, has declared that the world is governed by strength and power, a new way of thinking for the US. This shift is evident in Trump's threats to abandon allies, calls for annexation, and dismissal of international law. His administration's alignment with Moscow's talking points on Ukraine further highlights this.
Italian think-tank director Nathalie Tocci argues that Trump is pursuing imperial collusion with Russia and China, with the rest of the world on the colonial menu. The Western Axis is indeed wobbling, with long-term US allies seeking to appease Trump. However, there is pushback, as seen with Britain's suspension of certain intelligence sharing with the US, a sign of diminishing agreement on legitimate actions and Western values.
The future of the 'Axis of Authoritarians' and the world order it represents is uncertain, with the actions of key players like Trump and Putin shaping a new and controversial global landscape.
