QUAD and AUKUS and the Balance of Power in the Asia-Pacific Region: Prospects for Russia, China and ASEAN

Over the past few years the US-China rivalry has been the main reason for the key events in the Asia-Pacific region. Now this strategic confrontation is taking new forms. Various alliances and coalitions led by the United States are being created. This article analyzes the QUAD and AUKUS alliances and their impact on the balance of power in the region. Every action causes a reaction. China began to deepen relations with allied states after the creation of AUKUS and concluded a military agreement with the Solomon Islands. The ASEAN countries try to avoid being drawn into the confrontation between the US and China and attempt to diversify their foreign policy. For example, the first ever Russia-Indonesia naval exercises took place in December, 2021. Due to the aggravation of Russia’s relations with the Western countries, the Asian vector of foreign policy is currently of particular importance for Russia. It is obvious that the geostrategic and economic confrontation between China and the anti-Chinese coalition under the auspices of the United States is increasing rapidly. There is a good reason to believe that the political situation in the Asia-Pacific region will become more intense and less predictable in the coming years.