Against the Grain: Kim, Xi, and Putin to Showcase Alternative World Order

In a move that goes against the Western diplomatic grain, the leaders of North Korea, China, and Russia will meet in Beijing next week. Kim Jong Un will attend a military parade on Wednesday hosted by Xi Jinping, with Vladimir Putin also as a guest of honor, to showcase their vision of an alternative world order.
The event, commemorating the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end, has been boycotted by the U.S. and its major European allies. Their absence, a protest against Putin, provides a perfect opportunity for the three leaders to project an image of unity and strength.
This is Kim’s first trip abroad in years and a critical one for reaffirming his partnership with China. With his country’s economy almost completely dependent on Chinese trade, this visit is essential for securing his regime’s future.
The meeting in Beijing is more than ceremonial; it is a declaration. Coming after North Korea’s military assistance to Russia, the joint appearance of the three leaders will be seen as the public unveiling of a coordinated strategic bloc.