Deterring the Next Quasi-World War: China–Russia–North Korea Versus US
A display shows Chinese leader Xi Jinping (C) walking alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd L) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (2nd R) before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2025. Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images
Russian planes recently flew into Polish and Romanian airspace to test NATO’s resolve, while the world veers toward a conflict in Asia—one that could be far worse than the situation in Ukraine—in which true deterrence and resolve remain largely absent.
Joseph Yizheng Lian
Author
Professor Lian was born and raised in Hong Kong. He obtained his B.A. in mathematics from Carleton College and his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Minnesota. Lian has published extensively in academic and professional publications, and among his many books is a travelogue of his round-Taiwan cycling trip.
