Stratfor's organizing
theme for its 1999 Annual Forecast is found in the title: "A New and Dangerous
World." That concept remains valid and the fundamental trends identified within
that theme remain intact. The most important trend identified in that forecast
was: "Russia and China will be moving into a closer, primarily anti-American
alliance in 1999." That process is well under way and is also intensifying.
A Sino-Russian alliance has not
yet fully taken shape. Nevertheless, matters are rapidly moving in
that direction. Therefore, it is Stratfor's view that the single most
important global theme of the third quarter of 1999 will be fairly
quiet, yet intense, diplomacy between Russia and China as they explore
the precise meaning and implementation of their strategic relationship
(Stratfor's Third Quarter Forecast, June 27, 1999).
Yeltsin Meets With
Chinese Leader
BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN: (AP)-President
Boris Yeltsin met his Chinese counterpart Jiang Zemin, and the Russian
leader renewed his call for the two nations to work together to build
a "multi-polar world."
Yeltsin and Jiang held one-on-one
talks before taking part in a five-nation summit in the Central Asian
nation of Kyrgyzstan. The summit was intended to improve stability
along China's lengthy border with Russia and three former Soviet republics.
After tension between Moscow and
Beijing during the Cold War, relations have warmed considerably in
this decade, and the leaders of the two countries meet regularly.
Whenever Yeltsin meets top Chinese
officials, he calls for strengthening ties as part of an effort to
counterbalance U.S. clout in global affairs.
