Australia Warns of Emerging Pro-Russia Axis Involving China, Iran, and North Korea

Canberra, Australia – November 6

Australia’s top intelligence official has raised concerns over a growing alliance of authoritarian states backing Russia, calling it one of the most pressing strategic challenges of the current era.

Andrew Shearer, Director-General of Australia’s Office of National Intelligence, warned on Wednesday that China, Iran, and North Korea are forming what he described as a “profoundly troubling” axis in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Speaking at a national security conference in Canberra, Shearer criticized what he called an underestimation of the strategic threat posed by this alignment.

“The substantial dual-use assistance, financial support, and diplomatic cover being provided by China to Putin is directly sustaining Russia’s military operations in Ukraine,” Shearer said. “It’s having the same deadly effect as supplying ammunition and missiles.”

He also highlighted growing military coordination involving Iran and North Korea, pointing to the supply of Iranian drones and North Korean missiles, as well as reported deployments of North Korean troops to Russia.

“We need to do a better job disrupting these emerging networks,” Shearer added. “This is not just a geopolitical shift—it’s a wake-up call for Western democracies.”

Australia is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, alongside the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand.

Mounting International Concern

Shearer’s comments come amid mounting international alarm over deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea. On Wednesday, Russia’s upper house of parliament was scheduled to vote on ratifying a new mutual defense pact with North Korea, which was approved by the Duma on October 24.

The agreement, signed by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a June summit in Pyongyang, commits both countries to provide immediate military assistance in the event either is attacked. Western analysts have described the deal as the strongest military linkage between Moscow and Pyongyang since the Cold War.

U.S. and South Korean officials have reported that as many as 10,000 North Korean troops may already be fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine—an allegation North Korea has denied. Russian officials, including President Putin, have not directly refuted the reports, though they have largely sidestepped questions on the issue.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed what he called the first battlefield encounters between Ukrainian and North Korean forces, calling the moment “a new chapter of global instability.” Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said a “small engagement” had occurred between troops from both nations.

Foreign ministers from the G7 countries and allies including South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand have also condemned the alleged deployment of North Korean forces, warning it represents a dangerous escalation of the conflict.

As geopolitical tensions mount, Australia’s intelligence chief urged coordinated international action to counter the expanding influence of the Russia-China-Iran-North Korea alliance. “We’re still playing catch-up,” Shearer admitted. “But we must act—quickly and effectively.”

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Australia Warns of Emerging Pro-Russia Axis Involving China, Iran, and North Korea

Canberra, Australia – November 6

Australia’s top intelligence official has raised concerns over a growing alliance of authoritarian states backing Russia, calling it one of the most pressing strategic challenges of the current era.

Andrew Shearer, Director-General of Australia’s Office of National Intelligence, warned on Wednesday that China, Iran, and North Korea are forming what he described as a “profoundly troubling” axis in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Speaking at a national security conference in Canberra, Shearer criticized what he called an underestimation of the strategic threat posed by this alignment.

“The substantial dual-use assistance, financial support, and diplomatic cover being provided by China to Putin is directly sustaining Russia’s military operations in Ukraine,” Shearer said. “It’s having the same deadly effect as supplying ammunition and missiles.”

He also highlighted growing military coordination involving Iran and North Korea, pointing to the supply of Iranian drones and North Korean missiles, as well as reported deployments of North Korean troops to Russia.

“We need to do a better job disrupting these emerging networks,” Shearer added. “This is not just a geopolitical shift—it’s a wake-up call for Western democracies.”

Australia is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, alongside the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand.

Mounting International Concern

Shearer’s comments come amid mounting international alarm over deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea. On Wednesday, Russia’s upper house of parliament was scheduled to vote on ratifying a new mutual defense pact with North Korea, which was approved by the Duma on October 24.

The agreement, signed by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a June summit in Pyongyang, commits both countries to provide immediate military assistance in the event either is attacked. Western analysts have described the deal as the strongest military linkage between Moscow and Pyongyang since the Cold War.

U.S. and South Korean officials have reported that as many as 10,000 North Korean troops may already be fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine—an allegation North Korea has denied. Russian officials, including President Putin, have not directly refuted the reports, though they have largely sidestepped questions on the issue.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed what he called the first battlefield encounters between Ukrainian and North Korean forces, calling the moment “a new chapter of global instability.” Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said a “small engagement” had occurred between troops from both nations.

Foreign ministers from the G7 countries and allies including South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand have also condemned the alleged deployment of North Korean forces, warning it represents a dangerous escalation of the conflict.

As geopolitical tensions mount, Australia’s intelligence chief urged coordinated international action to counter the expanding influence of the Russia-China-Iran-North Korea alliance. “We’re still playing catch-up,” Shearer admitted. “But we must act—quickly and effectively.”