CRINK is an acronym that stands for the authoritarian states China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. It was coined for the 2023 Halifax International Security Forum by its president Peter Van Praagh.[1][2][3][4]
The CRINK states support each other with economic, military and diplomatic resources.[4] Collectively and individually, the CRINKs are globally known for their authoritarian leadership, their opposition to the West[2] and involvement in military conflicts.[5] The CRINKs have no formal alliance but are united by common interests under the motto "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."[6]
Origin
editAt the 2023 Halifax International Security Forum on November 17, 2023, Van Praagh introduced the term during his opening remarks:[7]
Isolating Russia from the international community brought the other authoritarians to Putin's aid. Now China and Russia and Iran and North Korea, we are calling them the CRINKs, are working to dismantle the global order.
One of the Forum’s plenary sessions was titled 'Victory in Ukraine = Message to the CRINKs'[3] and another 'Never Mind the BRICS, Here’s the CRINKs'.[8]
Usage
editAfter the 2023 Forum, the term CRINK and its introduction during the event was picked up by international media outlets.[1][4][9] According to Politico, a wide range of CRINK-related concerns were shared by Forum participants and remained a central theme throughout the event.[3][10]
The CRINKs are often referred to as the new autocratic "axis of evil", President Bush's 2002 phrase referring to Iran, Iraq and North Korea.[2][11][12][13]
The term is widely used in discussions of rising anti-Western sentiment.[14]
It has also been mentioned in reporting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine[4] and the Middle Eastern crisis.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Opinion: We are not at war on several fronts, but one". The Globe and Mail. November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "HFX2023: The Takeaways from This Year in Halifax". Policy Magazine. November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Fear and gloating about US at top democracy gathering". Politico. November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "'2024 smells like 1938': WW3 'inevitable' unless West wakes up to new threat". iNews. April 19, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "World Figures Convene in Canada To Address Threats Posed By CRINK". Iran International. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Amersi, Mohamed (August 4, 2024). "CRINKs: The New Game in Town". International Policy Digest. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Halifax International Security Forum (November 17, 2023). HFX 2023: Peter Van Praagh Welcome Speech. Retrieved November 18, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "2023 Forum.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "Crinks' war on West". The Spectator Australia. November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "Holidays with the CRINKs, Not a Lot of Fun". National Defense Magazine. December 22, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Gramer, Robbie (November 29, 2023). "Looks Like 'Axis of Evil' Is Back on the Menu". Foreign Policy. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "CRINK: It's the new 'Axis of Evil'". Politico. October 17, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "US Jittery With "CRINK Alliance" That Opposes Its Hegemony; Biden Pushes World Towards Nuclear War: OPED". Eurasian Times. June 6, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ de Souza, Rodrigo G. (June 10, 2024). "Who Are the CRINK - The Countries That Form the New "Axis of Evil" in the World and What They Want". The Atlas Report. Retrieved November 18, 2024.