title: Is an Eastern Bloc Taking Shape in Eurasia?
abstract: This paper builds on the developing research on the emergence of geopolitical blocs, with preliminary findings previously published.It focuses in particular on one of the three blocs identified in that earlier study: the Eastern Bloc.The paper argues that a group of states-including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea-has formed increasingly cohesive strategic relationships in recent years, largely in response to growing confrontation and systemic rivalry with the United States and its allies.T