President Joe Biden has urged U.S. national security agencies to develop strategies addressing the growing alignment among Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China, according to U.S. officials. This directive comes as Biden prepares to transition power to President-elect Donald Trump.

In a national security memorandum issued Tuesday, Biden highlighted the deepening cooperation between these nations. He noted that Russia has been providing Iran with fighter jets, missile defense systems, and space technology in return for Tehran’s support in Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.

Additionally, Biden’s administration has flagged Russia’s assistance to North Korea, which includes fuel, funding, and advanced technology, alongside recognizing Pyongyang as a de facto nuclear state. Meanwhile, Russia and China have intensified their military cooperation, conducting joint patrols in the Arctic.

The classified memorandum, described broadly to reporters but not independently verified, outlines recommendations for restructuring U.S. security agencies. This includes shifting from region-specific approaches to a more integrated strategy that addresses the interconnected challenges posed by these nations.

A Flexible Approach for the Incoming Administration

While the memorandum lays out key strategies, it leaves room for flexibility, allowing the incoming Trump administration to adopt, modify, or reject the proposals. “The goal is to provide new options so that the next administration and Congress can hit the ground running,” one senior administration official explained.

The outlined priorities include coordinating sanctions and export controls on these nations to minimize retaliatory risks while managing simultaneous crises involving multiple adversaries. For instance, North Korean troops are reportedly operating in Russia, further complicating global security dynamics.

“We’re now in a world where our adversaries and competitors are rapidly learning from one another,” an official said, emphasizing the need for a more cohesive U.S. strategy.

Limits to Cooperation Among Rivals

Despite their collaboration, officials pointed to limits in the partnerships between these nations. For example, Russia and Iran have not provided significant support to their ally, former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was recently ousted.

“This realignment raises questions for China about its long-term goals and whether it wants to fully commit to this bloc,” another official added.

Biden’s initiative underscores the challenges of countering increasingly coordinated adversaries and sets the stage for the incoming administration to navigate these complex global dynamics.