“These are independent relationships that have been coming together. They have differences, but as an authoritarian axis, these are countries that are better able to manage their differences at present than it seems like America and the liberal western order are able to handle their differences.”

Behnam Ben Taleblu · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Taleblu described the authoritarian axis of Russia, China, and Iran as more cohesive than the Western order.