title: Strategic reality check: the current state of Russia-China defence cooperation and the prospects of a deepening ‘near alliance
abstract: The evolving geostrategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific geopolitical system continues to be influenced by strategic fluidity; a factor that also affected regional dynamics during the Cold War. This is a challenge for any professional specialising in the field of strategic and defence studies: who is attempting to predict trends and patterns that may affect the Indo-Pacific. The Australian Government's 2020 Defence Strategic Update highlights the increasing complexity of the Indo- Pacific and pay
journal: eSpace (Curtin University)