Aug 13, 2026
CRINK countries increasingly cooperate around the world. U.S. policy must reflect this new dynamic
By: Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
George W. Bush Institute
Malign Alignment: How China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (CRINK) threaten the U.S. and our allies
China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, known together as CRINK, threaten democratic institutions, global security, mineral supply chains, and human rights by challenging the credibility of U.S. leadership.
Series Chapters
Chapter 1
Policy Recommendations
Jun 9, 2026
Malign Alignment: National Security and Economics
By: Joseph Kim, Igor Khrestin
Jun 9, 2026
Malign Alignment: Human Rights and Democracy
By: Joseph Kim, Igor Khrestin
Jun 9, 2026
Malign Alignment: How China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (CRINK) threaten the U.S. and our allies
By: Joseph Kim, Igor Khrestin
Jan 13, 2025
Countering the China, Russia, Iran, North Korea Challenge
By: Chris Walsh, Joseph Kim
Chapter 2
National Security and Economics
Jul 7, 2026
How Revisionist States Turn Concurrency Into Strategic Advantage
By: Igor Khrestin
Jun 10, 2026
When sanctions become personal: Russia targets Bill Browder’s 17-year-old son
By: Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Jun 9, 2026
Malign Alignment: National Security and Economics
By: Joseph Kim, Igor Khrestin
Jun 4, 2026
Increasing military support for Ukraine to win the war with Russia
Featuring: David J. Kramer, Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Jun 4, 2026
Securing the semiconductor and critical mineral supply chain
Featuring: Igor Khrestin , Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Jun 4, 2026
The importance of U.S. alliances
Featuring: Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau, Olivia Hernández
May 27, 2026
Synthetic asymmetry and the CRINK Challenge: A new framework for an emergent threat
By: Igor Khrestin
Mar 27, 2026
Dr. Victor Cha on China's Weaponization of Trade
Hosted by: Andrew Kaufmann
Mar 9, 2026
Distinguishing friend (Ukraine) from foe (Russia and Iran)
By: David J. Kramer
Feb 24, 2026
Ukraine can still win
By: David J. Kramer, Igor Khrestin , Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Nov 13, 2025
The U.S. must accelerate efforts to combat global cyberthreats from CRINK
By: Igor Khrestin
Oct 8, 2025
Texas is at the heart of U.S.-China competition
By: Igor Khrestin
Sep 9, 2025
Recent summit in China should serve as a warning to the West
By: Igor Khrestin
Chapter 3
Human Rights and Democracy
Jul 8, 2026
Update: Struggle for Freedom spotlight – Pastor Ezra Jin
By: Chris Walsh
Jun 11, 2026
Iran’s internet restoration gives the West a chance to engage directly with the Iranian people
By: Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Jun 9, 2026
Malign Alignment: Human Rights and Democracy
By: Joseph Kim, Igor Khrestin
Jun 4, 2026
Two-minute Take: Remembering Tiananmen Square
Featuring: David J. Kramer
May 21, 2026
Global internet freedom needs a champion. The United States should step up and lead
By: Jessica Ludwig
May 12, 2026
As U.S. and China leaders gather, political prisoners deserve to be on the agenda
By: Nicole Bibbins Sedaca
May 7, 2026
China pushed Zambia to censor a forum on censorship. Democracies must push back.
By: Nicole Bibbins Sedaca
Apr 14, 2026
The rise of CRINK: Reflections from Asia
By: Igor Khrestin
Mar 19, 2026
The silence that speaks for Iranian voices
By: Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Jan 9, 2026
The U.S. and democracies around the world must stand with the people of Iran
By: Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Dec 15, 2025
The current state of U.S. relations with North Korea
By: Victor Cha
Oct 23, 2025
Chances of a U.S.-North Korea summit fade as Kim Jong Un doubles down on Russia, China alliances
By: Joseph Kim
Jul 24, 2025
How the COVID-19 pandemic weakened Kim Jong Un’s grip on power
By: Joseph Kim
Jun 6, 2025
As the North Korea-Russia alliance continues to strengthen, the U.S. must act
By: Chris Walsh
Chapter 4
Frontline Perspectives
Jun 17, 2026
World Cup highlights Iran's attempts at sportswashing, democracy activist says
By: Margot Habiby
May 14, 2026
Struggle for Freedom spotlight: Pastor Ezra Jin
By: Chris Walsh
May 7, 2026
Mothers at the frontlines of hope
By: Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau, Natalie Gonnella-Platts
May 7, 2026
Struggle for Freedom spotlight: Nasrin Sotoudeh
By: Celia Siade-Cox
Apr 21, 2026
Voices from Iran
By: Natalie Gonnella-Platts, Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Apr 9, 2026
The generational struggle for freedom continues for the Iranian people
Featuring: Natalie Gonnella-Platts
Q&A with Holly Dagres, the Libitzky Family Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy
Jan 22, 2026
Hope for the future of Iran
By: Natalie Gonnella-Platts
Nov 13, 2025
Rushan Abbas’ fight for Uyghur human rights is personal
By: Celia Siade-Cox
Rushan Abbas — A Uyghur’s Fight for Freedom
Hosted by: Andrew Kaufmann, Chris Walsh