Autocracies Against Ukraine

The 3,000 North Korean troops boarded ships in the port city of Wonsan earlier this month and made the journey up the coast to Vladivostok, in Russia’s southeastern corner.From there, they moved to three military training sites in Russia’s Far East, according to U.S.

officials.Ukrainian officials say that the troops have since traveled west to fight against Ukraine.“If their intention is to participate in this war on Russia’s behalf, that is a very, very serious issue,” Lloyd Austin, the U.S.

defense secretary, said this week.Countries do not lightly send their own citizens to fight in another country’s war.That North Korea may be doing so on Russia’s behalf is the latest sign of increasing cooperation among four authoritarian countries — China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — that seek to weaken the U.S.-led alliance of mostly democratic countries, like South Korea, Japan and many European nations.The emergence of this authoritarian axis has been a theme of The Morning because I think it’s a major development.

Today, I’ll explain the latest news.‘This isn’t NATO’The four countries have clear ideological similarities.All are autocracies that repress dissent through imprisonment and death.

(In an early instance of cooperation, China helped Iran shut down its internet during pro-democracy protests 15 years ago.) To varying degrees, the countries are also hostile to political equality: Few women hold senior government roles.L.G.B.T.Q.

citizens and ethnic minorities are repressed.Religious freedom is restricted.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

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