President Joe Biden has authorized a classified national security memorandum designed to guide the incoming Trump administration in addressing mounting challenges posed by deepening cooperation among China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, the White House announced Wednesday.
Crafted over the summer, the memorandum aims to equip the Trump administration with a foundational strategy to address threats from the United States’ key adversaries. Two senior administration officials, speaking anonymously due to the document’s sensitivity, confirmed its contents would remain classified.
The guidance outlines four key recommendations: enhancing interagency coordination within the U.S. government, accelerating intelligence sharing with allies regarding the four adversaries, optimizing the use of sanctions and economic tools, and preparing for potential simultaneous crises involving these nations.
U.S. officials have long been wary of collaboration among the four countries, a concern amplified since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The conflict has spurred stronger ties between Moscow and its allies.
Russia, increasingly isolated internationally, has turned to Iran for drones and missiles while receiving artillery and personnel support from North Korea. In return, Moscow has supplied fighter jets to Iran and assisted Tehran in strengthening its missile defense and space technology.
North Korea has gained critical fuel and financial support from Russia, bolstering its manufacturing and military capabilities. Additionally, Russia has reportedly accepted North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state, according to officials.
China, meanwhile, has deepened its partnership with Russia, benefiting from dual-use components that sustain Moscow’s military-industrial complex. The two nations have also intensified military technical cooperation, including joint patrols in the Arctic.
“Coordination among these four nations poses an increasingly complex challenge for U.S. national security,” one official remarked, emphasizing the urgency of the recommendations.
Despite contrasting worldviews, the Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump’s team have sought collaboration during the transition. The memorandum reflects a bipartisan recognition of the need for a robust approach to counter adversaries’ growing alliances.
This cooperative transition effort underscores the significance of preparing for evolving geopolitical dynamics, which will demand careful navigation by the incoming administration.
