The Sino-Russia-US Triangle in the Second Term of Obama Administration

Zhu, Zhenlin

4. term

Development and International Relations, Master

2017

49

Specialet undersøger trekantsrelationen mellem Kina, Rusland og USA i Barack Obamas anden præsidentperiode. Det fokuserer på, hvordan de tre stater interagerede på fire områder: handel, bekæmpelse af terrorisme, stridigheder om territorium og sørettigheder i Det Sydkinesiske Hav, samt spørgsmålet om THAAD, et amerikansk missilforsvarssystem. Studiet anvender to centrale perspektiver i international politik: realisme (inklusive offensiv realisme og en ramme for trekantsrelationer) og liberalisme (neo‑liberal institutionalisme og økonomisk indbyrdes afhængighed). Offensiv realisme ser stater som magtsøgende for at sikre deres sikkerhed; neo‑liberal institutionalisme fremhæver, hvordan internationale regler og organisationer muliggør samarbejde; økonomisk indbyrdes afhængighed betoner, at handel og økonomiske bånd kan mindske konfliktrisici. For hvert område undersøger specialet de tre bilaterale par—Kina–USA, Kina–Rusland og USA–Rusland—for at tegne et detaljeret billede af, hvordan trekanten fungerer i praksis. Analysen viser, at den nuværende Kina–Rusland–USA‑trekant er mere flydende og dynamisk end den klassiske romantiske trekant fra perioden med Kina, Sovjetunionen og USA. Den formes af Kinas fremmarch, Ruslands mere assertive diplomati og en mere kompleks international kontekst. Disse forhold skaber betydelig usikkerhed om fremtiden, hvilket gør trekanten til et vigtigt emne i studiet af internationale relationer.

This thesis examines the triangular relationship between China, Russia, and the United States during President Obama’s second term. It focuses on how the three interacted in four areas: trade, counter-terrorism, disputes over territory and maritime rights in the South China Sea, and the issue of THAAD, a U.S. missile defense system. The study applies two major international relations perspectives: Realism (including offensive realism and a triangular relations framework) and Liberalism (neo-liberal institutionalism and economic interdependence). Offensive realism views states as seeking power to ensure security; neo-liberal institutionalism highlights how rules and organizations enable cooperation; economic interdependence emphasizes how trade and economic ties can reduce the risk of conflict. For each area, the thesis analyzes the three bilateral pairs—China–U.S., China–Russia, and U.S.–Russia—to build a detailed picture of how the triangle operates in practice. The analysis finds that, unlike the earlier romantic triangle among China, the Soviet Union, and the U.S., the current China–Russia–U.S. triangle is fluid and dynamic. It is shaped by China’s rise, Russia’s assertive diplomacy, and a more complex global environment. These factors create significant uncertainty about the future, making this triangle an important topic in international relations.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]

triangle ; Sino-Russia-US ; the second term ; Obama administration

Download
View record in AAU Student Projects