Part 10/14:
Russia’s strategic predicament is stark. The potential for China to exploit the regional instability—either through economic means or military force—is increasingly plausible. Russia’s fears are twofold: a direct military invasion and a creeping cultural and economic influence that could undermine Russian sovereignty.
The Possibility of Military Action
The history of border disputes and small-scale conflicts suggests that China might test the waters in Siberia. Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine has also stretched its military resources thin, creating vulnerabilities that China could exploit in a future contingency. The possibility of China launching a military push into Siberia cannot be wholly dismissed, especially if Moscow is preoccupied elsewhere.