Anti-Retirement League

Let’s have a look at a global trend where the survival of autocratic leadership takes precedence over ideological alignment.

In June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a notable visit to North Korea, marking his first trip there in 24 years. This visit highlights the deepening ties between the two “nations,” driven by mutual strategic interests and a shared idea of “opposition to Western dominance.”

Putin’s visit to North Korea may be strategically significant for several reasons. Primarily, it is a move to bolster Russia’s geopolitical standing amid increasing international isolation due to its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The visit underscores a reciprocal relationship: North Korea provides military support to Russia, while Russia offers technological and economic assistance to North Korea.

North Korea has been accused of supplying Russia with artillery shells and missiles, which are crucial for Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. In return, Russia is expected to enhance North Korea’s missile and satellite programs, which is vital for Pyongyang’s military ambitions. This cooperation is not only about military hardware but extends to economic and technological domains, as both nations seek to circumvent the crippling effects of international sanctions.

The Authoritarian Alliances

The growing cooperation between Russia and North Korea reflects a broader pattern among authoritarian regimes. Countries like Russia, Iran, China, Venezuela, and Belarus, despite their different cultural and ideological backgrounds, share a common goal: the preservation of their regimes and the consolidation of power by their leaders.

This “Anti-Retirement League” is bound not by shared values or ideologies but by the practical need to support each other’s regimes in the face of pressure from the civilized world.

Leaders like Putin, Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping, and Ali Khamenei are committed to maintaining their rule indefinitely. This drive for lifelong tenure fosters strong alliances among these regimes. The mentioned countries are united in their proclaimed opposition to what they perceive as “Western attempts to impose a global order” that threatens their sovereignty and political systems. The alliances provide practical benefits, such as military aid, economic partnerships, and technological exchanges, which help these regimes withstand external pressures and maintain internal stability.

The Implications

The implications of these alliances are far-reaching. For one, they present a significant challenge to international efforts aimed at curbing the proliferation of weapons and enforcing global sanctions. The cooperation between Russia and North Korea, for instance, directly undermines United Nations sanctions designed to limit North Korea’s missile and nuclear capabilities. Russia’s alliance with Iran is another cornerstone of this coalition. Both countries support the Assad regime in Syria and engage in military and economic cooperation to circumvent Western sanctions. This partnership has strengthened in recent years, with Russia providing military technology and Iran supplying drones and other military equipment. The China-Russian relationship is perhaps the most significant within the Anti-Retirement League. Both countries oppose, to some extent, the international order and collaborate extensively on military and economic fronts. This partnership is vital for Russia as it faces increasing isolation. Smaller states like Belarus and Venezuela also play crucial roles in this network. Belarus, under Alexander Lukashenko, has supported Russia’s war in Ukraine, while Venezuela provides a strategic foothold in Latin America. Both nations receive significant economic and military support from Russia, which helps sustain their regimes.

The EU must consider these Anti-Retirement Leagues in its defense policies. The cooperation between Russia and North Korea, for instance, includes military support that could escalate conflicts involving NATO allies. Increased military collaboration between authoritarian states can lead to the use of more sophisticated and dangerous weapons in war zones like Ukraine.

Conflicts driven by these alliances often result in humanitarian crises, leading to waves of refugees seeking asylum in Europe. The EU needs robust immigration policies to manage these influxes humanely and effectively while also addressing the root causes of migration by promoting stability and human rights in conflict or war regions.

The Anti-Retirement League poses a direct threat to democracy and human rights globally. These regimes support each other in suppressing dissent, controlling media, and violating human rights. The EU, as a proponent of democratic values, must strengthen its efforts to support civil society and democratic movements within these countries. Additionally, it should leverage diplomatic and economic tools to hold these regimes accountable for human rights abuses.

Furthermore, these alliances signify a shift towards a more multipolar world order, where authoritarian regimes are increasingly assertive in defying international norms and institutions. This realignment has the potential to destabilize regions, as seen in the heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the protracted war in Ukraine.

Afterwords

The Anti-Retirement League represents a significant challenge to the global democratic order. By supporting each other, these regimes can maintain power despite internal and external pressures. This network enables them to resist democratic reforms and suppress opposition, which undermines global efforts to promote democracy and human rights. The EU and its allies must remain vigilant and proactive in countering these influences through coordinated international policies and support for democratic institutions worldwide.

Putin’s visit to North Korea is a strategic maneuver highlighting the strengthening of ties between two authoritarian regimes driven by mutual interests in preserving their power and resisting Western influence. This visit is a part of a larger pattern of cooperation among similar regimes, underscoring a global trend where the survival of autocratic leadership takes precedence over ideological alignment. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective strategies to address the challenges posed by this “anti-retirement league” of lifelong rulers.

#TeamMarta

References:

• Deutsche Welle. Putin arrives in North Korea for first visit in 24 years
• Deutsche Welle. North Korea’s Kim and Russia’s Putin sign partnership treaty
• Independent. Putin to visit North Korea for first time in 24 years
• Deutsche Welle. North Korea: Why is Kim Jong Un eager to welcome Putin?
• Euro News. Putin and Kim Jong Un vow to protect each other if attacked
• Independent. Putin says Russia and North Korea ‘ready to confront ambition of West’ as he arrives for rare visit
• Politico. Putin and Kim pledge ‘mutual assistance’ against ‘aggression’ in colorful visit
• Euro News. North Korea says Putin could visit at an ‘early date’ amid US tensions
• Euro News. Russian President Vladimir Putin praises Pyongyang as he goes on rare North Korea visit