Official announcements from the US Department of State or the White House

Biden Issues Classified Memo for Trump Administration to Counter China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea Cooperation

Dec 11, 2024, 10:03 AM

President Joe Biden has issued a classified national security memorandum on Tuesday, aimed at preparing the incoming Trump administration to counter the growing cooperation among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. A senior US official noted that the memo includes directives to generate options for the Trump administration to avoid surprises with these countries. It addresses the increased military and technical cooperation between Russia and China, including joint Arctic patrols, and Russia's provision of vital assistance to Iran in areas like fighter aircraft, missile defense, and space technology. Furthermore, Russia has de facto accepted North Korea as a nuclear weapons state and is providing it with fuel, funding, and dual-use technology. The Biden administration is also working to reinforce communication channels with China to stabilize economic relations in anticipation of potential volatility under Trump's second term.